Attenuation of hindlimb vasodilation in heat-stressed baboons during dehydration

The influence of dehydration on hindlimb vasodilation during environmental heating (EH) was examined in eight unanesthetized chronically instrumented baboons. Mean iliac blood flow (MIBF), arterial blood pressure, and core temperature (Tc) were measured during EH of baboons in euhydrated and dehydrated states. EH consisted of acute exposure to high ambient temperatures (39-44 degrees C) until Tc reached 39.5 degrees C. Dehydration was produced by 68-72 h of fluid deprivation, which caused increases in plasma osmolality [291 +/- 1 (SE) to 338 +/- 6 mosmol/kg H2O] and sodium concentration (143 +/- 2 to 163 +/- 3 meq/l) and a 16% fall in plasma volume. The primary influence of dehydration was attenuation of the progressive rise in MIBF and iliac conductance (IC) during EH. Absolute MIBF and IC levels at Tc = 39.5 degrees C during EH were 44 and 52%, respectively, lower in the dehydrated state. Also, the MIBF-Tc and IC-Tc linear regression coefficients during EH were lower by 33 and 43%, respectively, in the dehydrated state. Since limb skeletal muscle blood flow does not increase during EH, we conclude that dehydration attenuates the heat stress-induced rise in skin blood flow in baboons, an influence that is similar to what occurs in humans.