Haemodynamic responses to dehydration in the resting and exercising human leg.

• TITLE: Haemodynamic responses to dehydration in the resting and exercising human leg.
• AUTHOR: Pearson J, Kalsi KK, Stöhr EJ, Low DA, Barker H, Ali L, González-Alonso J.
• REFERENCE: Eur J Appl Physiol. 2013 Jan 4. [Epub ahead of print]
• YEAR: 2013

Dehydration and hyperthermia reduces leg blood flow (LBF), cardiac output ([Formula: see text]) and arterial pressure during whole-body exercise. It is unknown whether the reductions in blood flow are associated with dehydration-induced alterations in arterial blood oxygen content (C (a)O(2)) and O(2)-dependent signalling. This study investigated the impact of dehydration and concomitant alterations in C (a)O(2) upon LBF and [Formula: see text]. Haemodynamics, arterial and femoral venous blood parameters and plasma [ATP] were measured at rest and during one-legged knee-extensor exercise in 7 males in four conditions: (1) control, (2) mild dehydration, (3) moderate dehydration, and (4) rehydration. Relative to control, C (a)O(2) and LBF increased with dehydration at rest and during exercise (C (a)O(2): from 199 ± 1 to 208 ± 2, and 202 ± 2 to 210 ± 2 ml L(-1) and LBF: from 0.38 ± 0.04 to 0.77 ± 0.09, and 1.64 ± 0.09 to 1.88 ± 0.1 L min(-1), respectively). Similarly, [Formula: see text] was unchanged or increased with dehydration at rest and during exercise, whereas arterial and leg perfusion pressures declined. Following rehydration, C (a)O(2) declined (to 193 ± 2 mL L(-1)) but LBF remained elevated. Alterations in LBF were unrelated to C (a)O(2) (r (2) = 0.13-0.27, P = 0.48-0.64) and plasma [ATP]. These findings suggest dehydration and concomitant alterations in C (a)O(2) do not compromise LBF despite reductions in plasma [ATP]. While an additive or synergistic effect cannot be excluded, reductions in LBF during exercise with dehydration may not necessarily be associated with alterations in C (a)O(2) and/or intravascular [ATP].

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23288036