Biochemical changes in sweat following prolonged ischemia

Much emphasis has been placed on the measurement of physical parameters at the body support interface in order to detect and moderate conditions which could result in pressure damage to soft tissues. Major difficulties are encountered both in the design of instrumentation and interpretation of the data collected. Metabolic processes in sweat glands that control sweat secretion have been shown to be sensitive to applied pressure, producing sweating rate suppression and changes in sweat NaCl concentration. In this study, we have demonstrated the feasibility of measuring lactate concentration in sweat collected locally using an electrochemical stimulation technique (iontophoresis of pilocarpine nitrate). Elevated levels of sweat lactate concentration during local tissue indentation were detected in a group of able-bodied subjects. Upon removal of the indentor, however, levels of sweat lactate returned to normal.