Regional and time course differences in sweat cortisol, glucose, and select cytokine concentrations during exercise

The use of sweat as a biofluid for non-invasive sampling and diagnostics is a popular area of research. However, concentrations of cortisol, glucose, and cytokines have not been described across anatomical regions or as time progresses throughout exercise.

To determine regional and time course differences in sweat cortisol, glucose, and select cytokines (EGF, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-1α, IL-1ra, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10).

Sweat was collected with absorbent patches from eight subjects (24-44 y; 80.2 ± 10.2 kg) on the forehead (FH), right dorsal forearm (RDF), right scapula (RS), and right triceps (RT) at 0-25 min, 30-55 min, and 60-85 min during 90 min of cycling (~ 82% HR_max) in a heated chamber (32 °C, 50% rh). ANOVA was used to determine the effect of site and time on outcomes. Data are reported as LS means ± SE.

There was a significant effect of location on sweat analyte concentrations with FH having higher values than most other regions for cortisol (FH: 1.15 ± 0.08 ng/mL > RDF: 0.62 ± 0.09 ng/mL and RT: 0.65 ± 0.12 ng/mL, P = 0.02), IL-1ra (P < 0.0001), and IL-8 (P < 0.0001), but lower concentrations for glucose (P = 0.01), IL-1α (P < 0.0001), and IL-10 (P = 0.02). Sweat IL-1β concentration was higher on the RS than RT (P < 0.0001). Sweat cortisol concentration increased (25 min: 0.34 ± 0.10 ng/mL < 55 min: 0.89 ± 0.07 ng/mL < 85 min: 1.27 ± 0.07 ng/mL; P < 0.0001), while EGF (P < 0.0001), IL-1ra (P < 0.0001), and IL-6 (P = 0.02) concentrations decreased over time.

Sweat analyte concentrations varied with time of sampling and anatomical region, which is essential information to consider when conducting future work in this area.

NCT04240951 registered January 27, 2020.