Plasma water shifts during thermal dehydration

Changes in body water compartments during acute dehydration before and after acclimation to heat and the role of plasma proteins in body fluid dynamics were studied in the rat. Compartment volumes, plasma and interstitial protein concentrations, and colloid osmotic pressures (COP) were measured in anesthetized (with thiopental sodium) and, if necessary, nephrectomized rats. Albumin outfluxes, total protein mass (TPM), and total albumin mass (TAM) were calculated. Nonacclimated rats conserved plasma volume (PV) as long as dehydration did not exceed 15-16% body weight loss (18.5% total body water loss). This was associated with decreased albumin outflux, elevated plasma COP, and reduced subcutaneous COP. When water loss reached 25.5%, PV and extracellular fluid volume decreased by 45 and 34%, respectively. Albumin outflux recovered, TPM and TAM decreased, and plasma COP remained high. In acclimated dehydrated rats PV remained unchanged, albumin outflux decreased, TPM and COP increased, and interstitial COP decreased. Most of the water loss was intracellular in origin. It was concluded that PV changes during dehydration are related to changes in plasma protein distribution. PV conservation rate is different in rats as compared to desert PV conservers.