Human Temperature Regulation during Exercise after Oral Pyridostigmine Administration

Abstract

Four healthy males exercised in two experiments at ambient temperatures of 22, 29, and 36 C with the relative humidity at 30% in all environments (Tdp = 3.9, 9.9, and 15.8 C). One experiment in each environment was done 150 min after 30 mg oral pyridostigmine bromide (PYR) administration, and the second experiment was done on a separate day with no medication (CON). Red blood cell cholinesterase was 39 + or - 7% lower after PYR (11.8 vs 7.2 micron mol . ml-1 . min-1). Esophageal (Tes) and mean skin temperature (Tsk), forearm blood flow (FBF), forearm sweating, and skin blood flow (SkBF) were measured twice each minute during a 15-min rest period and during 30-min of seated cycle exercise at approx. 58% Vo2 peak. Whole body sweating was determined from weight changes before and after exercise. PYR decreased heart rate at rest and during exercise at 29 C and 36 C (8bpm, p < 0.05). Resting SkBF was 40% lower at 29 C and 30% at 36 C after PYR. During exercise, SkBF was 40% lower at 29 C and 50% lower at 36 C after PYR compared to CON (p < 0.05). There was no effect of PYR on heat production at rest or during exercise. Tsk was different in the three conditions by design, but was unchanged by PYR. Tes was not different at rest in any condition, but was elevated during exercise at 36 C (0.1 C, p < 0.05) in PYR compared to CON. These data suggest that pyridostigmine ingestion decreased skin blood flow, which may limit exercise thermoregulation in more severe environments. (EG)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA219945

Entities

People

  • Lou A. Stephenson
  • Margaret A. Kolka

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Blood
  • Blood Cells
  • Blood Flow
  • Body Fluids
  • Body Temperature
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Digestive System Processes
  • Environment
  • Heart Rate
  • Heat Loss
  • Measurement
  • Medical Personnel
  • Pyridostigmine Bromide
  • Temperature Gradients

Readers

  • Exercise and Sports Science.
  • Neurotoxicology