Ion-osmotic hyperthermia during exercise in dogs

The influence of intravenous infusions of various concentrations of NaCl solutions on temperature regulation was investigated in dogs at rest and during moderate exercise for 1 h on a treadmill. Infusion of hypertonic solutions either before and during exercise resulted in elevated (P less than 0.05) plasma Na+ and osmotic concentrations and produced higher equilibrium levels (P less than 0.05) of rectal temperature (Tre) during exercise (prehypertonic 40.9 degrees C vs. no infusion 40.4 degrees C; hypertonic 40.8 degrees C vs. isotonic infusion 40.4 degrees C), but not at rest. Increasing the [Na+] and osmotic concentrations above 170 meq/liter and 325 mosmol/kg, respectively, resulted in no additional increase in exercise Tre. Water consumption during exercise decreased (P less than 0.05) plasma [Na+], osmolality, and the equilibrium level of Tre to control levels. There was no effect of changes in plasma volume (PV) of +/- 8% on the time course, equilibrium level, or change in Tre during exercise. At the end of exercise, there were moderate correlations (P less than 0.01) between Tre and [Na+] (r = 0.51) and Tre and osmoti (r = 0.52) concentrations. It was concluded that a) the exercise Tre responses of the dog respond quantitatively like man to elevated plasma [Na+] and osmolality, b) the Tre levels are not influenced by changes in PV, and c) water intake significantly reduces the ion-osmotic hyperthermia.