Plasma volumes and constituents of heat-exposed men before and after acclimatization

Five men underwent a 2-wk exercise regimen and were then exposed to 45 degrees C db, 28 degrees C wb, wind speed 1 m/s for 12 h while at rest. Body weight was maintained with 0.1% saline. One week later the exposure was repeated without rehydration. After heat acclimatization, the 12-h experiments were repeated. Frequent body weights, rectal temperatures, and venous blood samples were obtained. Results indicated that hemodilution upon acute heat exposure is partially due to protein influx into the vascular volume and the hemodilution allowed considerable loss of body water before plasma volume returned to preexposure values. Water within the vascular volume appeared to be in equilibrium with that in other body compartments before but not after acclimatization. Acclimatization altered the rate of protein transfer (and water movement) such that hemodilution was accomplished more rapidly than before acclimatization. Early hemodilution was quite labile and depended upon subject hydration during the first hour of heat exposure.