Can skin temperature manipulation, with minimal core temperature change, influence plasma volume in resting humans?

Abstract

We investigated body-fluid distribution in resting humans, during short-term, whole-body skin temperature modification, in which core temperature changes (ΔT_c) were minimal. Seven males participated in hot (36.2°C (s.d. 0.7), 44% relative humidity (rh; s.d. 3)), temperate (22.0°C (s.d. 1.0), 52% rh (s.d. 6)), and cool trials (14.4°C (s.d. 1.6), 74% rh (s.d. 9)), while seated at rest. Total body water (TBW), extracellular fluid (ECF), erythrocyte (RCV) and plasma volumes (PV) were measured using a simultaneous radionuclide dilution technique. In the cold, PV contracted by 205 ml (±60) by the end of exposure (p = 0.04), while in the heat, PV expanded 108 ml (±123; p = 0.02). Both RCV and TBW remained stable, regardless of the environment. Despite fluid movement across the vascular wall, ECF, interstitial and intracellular volumes were relatively unaffected by skin temperature. It was concluded that, at rest, and with minimal ΔT_c, the intravascular fluid volume was dependent on prevailing environmental conditions, and its impact on local skin temperature and venomotor tone.