Comparative Study of the Composition of Sweat from Eccrine and Apocrine Sweat Glands during Exercise and in Heat.

Yi-Lang Chen,Chao-Lin Liu,Wen-Hui Kuan

doi:10.3390/ijerph17103377

Abstract

This preliminarily study was made to examine the differences in sweat excretions from human eccrine and apocrine sweat glands in dynamic exercise and heat conditions. Sweat samples were collected from six young males while they were either running on a treadmill or sitting in a sauna cabinet. Sweat samples of at least 5 mL from the eccrine (upper−back) and apocrine (armpit) sweat glands were collected during a 20−min running (or inactive overheating) period. The samples were then analyzed for urea, uric acid, and electrolyte (Na+, Cl−, and K+) excretions. The results from a two−way repeated−measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the secretions of urea and K+ were significantly higher during running than during inactive overheating for both glands, as were Na+ secretions for the apocrine glands (all P < 0.05). Under the same sweating conditions, urea and K+ excretions from the apocrine glands were also higher than those from the eccrine glands (all P < 0.05). Significant differences were observed between the Na+ secretions of the apocrine and eccrine glands under the running condition. The effects of various sweating methods and sweat glands on Cl− secretions were nonsignificant, and little uric acid was excreted. A higher urea excretion level during running rather than in hot conditions could be attributed to an elevated metabolic rate.

Highlights

Perspiration is an essential physiological function for hydration and the regulation of both hemostasis in electrolytes and body temperature through sweat ducts in the skin
Na+ and K+ excretions were significantly affected by both sweating conditions and sweat glands, whereas Cl− excretion did not differ between the various sweat variables
A divergence was observed between the two conditions in the two glands for K+, but the difference between the two conditions was only significant for Na+ collected from the apocrine gland. These results indicated that higher levels of urea, Na+, and K+ excretion were produced from running than from inactive overheating, the implication being that the excretion of urea and cations could be promoted by the apocrine gland during exercise

Summary

Introduction

Perspiration is an essential physiological function for hydration and the regulation of both hemostasis in electrolytes and body temperature through sweat ducts in the skin. Detoxication is a function of sweating that occurs through the excretion of harmful molecules, such as urea [1,2]. Like the kidneys, controls and regulates water output and directs the secretion of the key electrolytes Na+ and Cl− through resorption in the ducts. Thermal stasis is maintained and toxic metabolic products are removed through both perspiration and up-regulation of blood flow. The metabolic rate is increased and metabolite disposal, a pathway for body metabolic clearing, is promoted. Sweating usually accompanies exercise and may contribute

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