Gastrointestinal permeability and kidney injury risk during heat stress in young and older adults
Author Information
Author(s): Zachary J. McKenna, Whitley C. Atkins, Taysom Wallace, Caitlin P. Jarrard, Craig G. Crandall, Josh Foster
Primary Institution: Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
Hypothesis
Do older adults exhibit greater gastrointestinal permeability and heightened kidney injury risk during heat stress than young adults?
Conclusion
Heat stress increases gastrointestinal permeability and impairs kidney function in both young and older adults, but older adults may be more at risk for increased gastroduodenal permeability.
Supporting Evidence
- Heat stress increased gastrointestinal permeability in both young and older adults.
- Older adults showed greater increases in sucrose excretion, indicating higher gastroduodenal permeability.
- Both age groups experienced increased markers of kidney injury following heat exposure.
Takeaway
When it gets really hot, both young and older people can have problems with their stomachs and kidneys, but older people might have more trouble with their stomachs.
Methodology
Participants were heated using a controlled hyperthermia model, and gastrointestinal permeability and kidney function were assessed through various tests.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the small sample size and exclusion criteria limiting participant diversity.
Limitations
The study used a controlled hyperthermia model which may not fully replicate real-world heat exposure conditions.
Participant Demographics
Nine young adults (average age 32) and nine older adults (average age 72), balanced by sex.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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