Transient blood/plasma density and hematocrit effects after passive (sitting) thermoneutral water immersion in men. 1993

H Hinghofer-Szalkay, and E M König, and H C Gunga
Department of Physiology, University of Graz, Austria.

At the beginning and with ceasing of suction which is exerted upon the lower parts of the body, we have recently discovered transient hemodilution/hemoconcentration effects by use of the high-precision so-called mechanical oscillator technique. Since transient effects are useful for biological systems analysis, we addressed the question if such transients in blood and plasma mass density also occur with and immediately after water immersion in humans. Water immersion (WI) has been used as an analog of microgravity conditions. The effects on blood volume depend on the test conditions, particularly body position before immersion, and the time of measurement. Consequently, hemodilution has been found as an early effect of WI in many but not all studies. If test persons are immersed after sitting or standing on air, WI counteracts postural hemoconcentration and consistently produces a decrease in hematocrit, hemoglobin, and plasma protein concentration and, hence, plasma and blood mass density. In this paper we present evidence that, like with termination of lower body suction, there might be transient hemoconcentration in the first minutes of thermoneutral WI in a sitting position in men, but no evidence could be obtained for any counterdirected transient hemodilution when test subjects are passively brought out (in sitting position) from the water, as was found with starting lower body suction (in supine position).

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007101 Immersion The placing of a body or a part thereof into a liquid. Submersion,Immersions,Submersions
D008150 Lower Body Negative Pressure External decompression applied to the lower body. It is used to study orthostatic intolerance and the effects of gravitation and acceleration, to produce simulated hemorrhage in physiologic research, to assess cardiovascular function, and to reduce abdominal stress during childbirth. Abdominal Decompression,Decompression, Abdominal,LBNP
D008297 Male Males
D010953 Plasma Volume Volume of PLASMA in the circulation. It is usually measured by INDICATOR DILUTION TECHNIQUES. Blood Plasma Volume,Blood Plasma Volumes,Plasma Volumes,Volume, Blood Plasma,Volume, Plasma,Volumes, Blood Plasma,Volumes, Plasma
D001809 Blood Viscosity The internal resistance of the BLOOD to shear forces. The in vitro measure of whole blood viscosity is of limited clinical utility because it bears little relationship to the actual viscosity within the circulation, but an increase in the viscosity of circulating blood can contribute to morbidity in patients suffering from disorders such as SICKLE CELL ANEMIA and POLYCYTHEMIA. Blood Viscosities,Viscosities, Blood,Viscosity, Blood
D001810 Blood Volume Volume of circulating BLOOD. It is the sum of the PLASMA VOLUME and ERYTHROCYTE VOLUME. Blood Volumes,Volume, Blood,Volumes, Blood
D003720 Densitometry The measurement of the density of a material by measuring the amount of light or radiation passing through (or absorbed by) the material. Densitometries
D006400 Hematocrit The volume of packed RED BLOOD CELLS in a blood specimen. The volume is measured by centrifugation in a tube with graduated markings, or with automated blood cell counters. It is an indicator of erythrocyte status in disease. For example, ANEMIA shows a low value; POLYCYTHEMIA, a high value. Erythrocyte Volume, Packed,Packed Red-Cell Volume,Erythrocyte Volumes, Packed,Hematocrits,Packed Erythrocyte Volume,Packed Erythrocyte Volumes,Packed Red Cell Volume,Packed Red-Cell Volumes,Red-Cell Volume, Packed,Red-Cell Volumes, Packed,Volume, Packed Erythrocyte,Volume, Packed Red-Cell,Volumes, Packed Erythrocyte,Volumes, Packed Red-Cell
D006438 Hemodilution Reduction of blood viscosity usually by the addition of cell free solutions. Used clinically (1) in states of impaired microcirculation, (2) for replacement of intraoperative blood loss without homologous blood transfusion, and (3) in cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermia. Hemodilutions
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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