Pilot Study Examining the Effects of Atropine on Performance during Uncompensable Heat Stress. 2016

Joe Suyama, and Serina J McEntire, and Jon C Rittenberger, and Deena Rosalky, and Steven E Reis, and David Hostler

In many operational scenarios, hypohydration can be corrected with oral rehydration following the work interval. Although rare, there are potential situations that require extended intervals of uncompensable heat stress exposure while working in personal protective equipment (PPE). Under these conditions, retention of body water may be valuable to preserve work capacity and reduce cardiovascular strain. We conducted a pilot study comparing intramuscular atropine sulfate versus saline placebo to establish the safety profile of the protocol and to provide pilot data for future investigations. Five, healthy, heat-acclimated subjects completed this crossover design laboratory study. Each subject performed up to one hour of exertion in a hot environment while wearing a chemical resistant coverall. Atropine sulfate (0.02 mg/kg) or an equivalent volume of sterile saline was administered by intramuscular injection. Core temperature, heart rate, perceptual measures, and changes in body mass were measured. All five subjects completed the acclimation period and both protocols. No adverse events occurred, and no pharmacologically induced delirium was identified. Change in body mass was less following exercise influenced by atropine sulfate (p = 0.002). Exertion time tended to be longer in the atropine sulfate arm (p = 0.08). Other measures appeared similar between groups. Intramuscular atropine sulfate reduced sweating and tended to increase the work interval under uncompensable heat stress when compared to saline placebo. Heart rate and temperature changes during exertion were similar in both conditions suggesting that the influence of an anticholinergic agent on thermoregulation may be minimal during uncompensable heat stress. BACKGROUND thermoregulation; cholinolytic; anticholinergic; reaction time.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D010276 Parasympatholytics Agents that inhibit the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system. The major group of drugs used therapeutically for this purpose is the MUSCARINIC ANTAGONISTS. Antispasmodic,Antispasmodic Agent,Antispasmodic Drug,Antispasmodics,Parasympathetic-Blocking Agent,Parasympathetic-Blocking Agents,Parasympatholytic,Parasympatholytic Agent,Parasympatholytic Drug,Spasmolytic,Spasmolytics,Antispasmodic Agents,Antispasmodic Drugs,Antispasmodic Effect,Antispasmodic Effects,Parasympatholytic Agents,Parasympatholytic Drugs,Parasympatholytic Effect,Parasympatholytic Effects,Agent, Antispasmodic,Agent, Parasympathetic-Blocking,Agent, Parasympatholytic,Agents, Antispasmodic,Agents, Parasympathetic-Blocking,Agents, Parasympatholytic,Drug, Antispasmodic,Drug, Parasympatholytic,Drugs, Antispasmodic,Drugs, Parasympatholytic,Effect, Antispasmodic,Effect, Parasympatholytic,Effects, Antispasmodic,Effects, Parasympatholytic,Parasympathetic Blocking Agent,Parasympathetic Blocking Agents
D010865 Pilot Projects Small-scale tests of methods and procedures to be used on a larger scale if the pilot study demonstrates that these methods and procedures can work. Pilot Studies,Pilot Study,Pilot Project,Project, Pilot,Projects, Pilot,Studies, Pilot,Study, Pilot
D001831 Body Temperature The measure of the level of heat of a human or animal. Organ Temperature,Body Temperatures,Organ Temperatures,Temperature, Body,Temperature, Organ,Temperatures, Body,Temperatures, Organ
D001833 Body Temperature Regulation The processes of heating and cooling that an organism uses to control its temperature. Heat Loss,Thermoregulation,Regulation, Body Temperature,Temperature Regulation, Body,Body Temperature Regulations,Heat Losses,Loss, Heat,Losses, Heat,Regulations, Body Temperature,Temperature Regulations, Body,Thermoregulations
D005082 Physical Exertion Expenditure of energy during PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. Intensity of exertion may be measured by rate of OXYGEN CONSUMPTION; HEAT produced, or HEART RATE. Perceived exertion, a psychological measure of exertion, is included. Physical Effort,Effort, Physical,Efforts, Physical,Exertion, Physical,Exertions, Physical,Physical Efforts,Physical Exertions
D006358 Hot Temperature Presence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably higher than an accustomed norm. Heat,Hot Temperatures,Temperature, Hot,Temperatures, Hot
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001285 Atropine An alkaloid, originally from Atropa belladonna, but found in other plants, mainly SOLANACEAE. Hyoscyamine is the 3(S)-endo isomer of atropine. AtroPen,Atropin Augenöl,Atropine Sulfate,Atropine Sulfate Anhydrous,Atropinol,Anhydrous, Atropine Sulfate,Augenöl, Atropin,Sulfate Anhydrous, Atropine,Sulfate, Atropine
D018592 Cross-Over Studies Studies comparing two or more treatments or interventions in which the subjects or patients, upon completion of the course of one treatment, are switched to another. In the case of two treatments, A and B, half the subjects are randomly allocated to receive these in the order A, B and half to receive them in the order B, A. A criticism of this design is that effects of the first treatment may carry over into the period when the second is given. (Last, A Dictionary of Epidemiology, 2d ed) Cross-Over Design,Cross-Over Trials,Crossover Design,Crossover Studies,Crossover Trials,Cross Over Design,Cross Over Studies,Cross Over Trials,Cross-Over Designs,Cross-Over Study,Crossover Designs,Crossover Study,Design, Cross-Over,Design, Crossover,Designs, Cross-Over,Designs, Crossover,Studies, Cross-Over,Studies, Crossover,Study, Cross-Over,Study, Crossover,Trial, Cross-Over,Trial, Crossover,Trials, Cross-Over,Trials, Crossover

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