Korean J Physiol Pharmacol.  2016 Sep;20(5):499-505. 10.4196/kjpp.2016.20.5.499.

Seasonal acclimation in sudomotor function evaluated by QSART in healthy humans

• Shin YO
• Lee JB
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2350506
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4196/kjpp.2016.20.5.499

Abstract

The quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing (QSART) is a classic test of routine postganglionic sudomotor function. We investigated sudomotor function by QSART after summer (July 2012) and winter (January 2013) seasonal acclimation (SA) in the Republic of Korea. QSART with acetylcholine (ACh) iontophoresis were performed to determine directly activated (DIR) and axon reflex-mediated (AXR1, 2) sweating rate. Onset time of axon reflex, activated sweat gland density (ASGD), activated sweat gland output (ASGO), tympanic and skin temperatures (T(ty), T(sk)), basal metabolic rate (BMR), and evaporative loss volume changes were measured. Tympanic and mean body temperature (T(b); calculated from T(ty), T(sk)) were significantly lower after summer-SA than that of winter-SA. Sweat onset time was delayed during winter-SA compared to that after summer-SA. BMR, AXR(1), AXR(2), and DIR sweat rates, ASGD and ASGO, and evaporative loss volume were significantly diminished after winter-SA relative to after summer-SA. In conclusion, changes in sweating activity measured by QSART confirmed the involvement of the peripheral nervous system in variation of sudomotor activity in seasonal acclimation.

Keyword

Acetylcholine (ACh); QSART (quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing); Seasonal acclimation; Sweat

MeSH Terms

Acclimatization*
Acetylcholine
Axons
Basal Metabolism
Body Temperature
Humans*
Iontophoresis
Peripheral Nervous System
Reflex
Republic of Korea
Seasons*
Skin Temperature
Sweat
Sweat Glands
Sweating
Acetylcholine

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Monthly mean daily average ambient temperatures from July 2012 to January 2013 in Cheonan (126°52'N, 33.38'E; Republic of Korea).Cheonan is located in a temperate zone (four distinct geopolitical seasons). The monthly mean daily average ambient temperature during the experimental period was from July 20, 2012 (Exp 1) to January 20, 2013 (Exp 2). Exp 1;Experiment 1 hot summer (July. 2012; temperature, 25.8±1.7℃; relative humidity, 78.9±5.5%) and Exp 2; Experiment 2 cold winter (January. 2013; temperature, –3.6±4.9℃; humidity, 69.7±11.6%).

• 

  Fig. 2 Axon reflex sweat onset time during acetylcholine (ACh) iontophoresis in summer-SA and winter-SA.Values are mean±SD. Statistically significant differences were set at ***p<0.001.

• 

  Fig. 3 Axon reflex-mediated [AXR (1), indirect sudomotor activity caused by activating nicotinic receptors] sweat rate during QSART with acetylcholine (ACh) iontophoresis in summer-SA and winter-SA.Values are mean±SD. Statistically significant differences were set at **p<0.01.

• 

  Fig. 4 Axon reflex-mediated [AXR (2), indirect sudomotor activity caused by activating nicotinic receptors] sweat rate during QSART without acetylcholine (ACh) iontophoresis in summer-SA and winter-SA.Values are mean±SD. Statistically significant differences were set at **p<0.01.

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  Fig. 5 Directly activated [DIR, induces direct sudomotor activity caused by activating muscarinic receptors] sweat rate in summer-SA and winter-SA.Values are mean±SD. Statistically significant differences were set at ***p<0.001.

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  Fig. 6 Activated sweat gland density (ASGD) of DIR (direct sudomotor activity caused by activating muscarinic receptors) sweating in summer-SA and winter-SA.Values are mean±SD. Statistically significant differences were set at ***p<0.001.

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  Fig. 7 Activated sweat gland output (ASGO) of activated sweat gland density by DIR sweating.ASGO of summer-SA and winter-SA during QSART. Values are mean±SD. Statistically significant differences were set at ***p<0.001.

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  Fig. 8 Volume of skin evaporative loss volume (evaporative rate) during passive heating.Values are mean±standard deviation. Statistically significant differences were set at ***p<0.001.

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