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Effect of increased plasma osmolality on cold-induced thirst attenuation

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Abstract

The effects of elevating plasma osmolality (P osm) on thirst ratings was studied in eight dehydrated males during exposure to 4°C. On two occasions, subjects were dehydrated (DH; 3–4% body mass) via 90 min exercise-heat exposure and overnight fluid restriction (day 1). On a third occasion, subjects were exposed to heat but were given fluid (EU). On day 2, subjects consumed NaCl (NaCl; 0.1 g NaCl kg−1 body mass in 500 ml H2O; DH only) or Placebo (P; 500 ml H2O; DH and EU). Subjects stood for 30 min at 24°C and for 45 min at 4°C (75 min post-dose). P osm was elevated (P < 0.05) 30 and 75 min after NaCl administration in DH + NaCl versus DH + P and EU + P treatments. Thirst ratings remained elevated (P < 0.05) in the DH + NaCl treatment 30 min after dosing and 45 min at 4°C versus DH + P and EU + P. Attenuation of thirst when dehydrated in the cold can be over-ridden by increasing P osm.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the subjects who donated their time and effort in order to participate in this study. The authors also wish to thank John Conlon for his technical support. Lastly the authors would like to thank Michael N. Sawka for his editorial assistance. The views, opinions and/or findings in this report are those of the authors and should not be construed as official Department of the Army position, policy, or decision unless so designated by other official designation. All experiments were carried out in accordance to state and federal guidelines.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Kansas Street, Natick, MA, 01760, USA

    Robert William Kenefick, S. N. Cheuvront & J. W. Castellani

  2. Department of Kinesiology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA

    A. St Pierre & N. A. Riel

Authors
  1. Robert William Kenefick
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  2. A. St Pierre
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  3. N. A. Riel
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  4. S. N. Cheuvront
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  5. J. W. Castellani
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Correspondence to Robert William Kenefick.

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Kenefick, R.W., St Pierre, A., Riel, N.A. et al. Effect of increased plasma osmolality on cold-induced thirst attenuation. Eur J Appl Physiol 104, 1013–1019 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0857-9

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