Sweat measurement technique using the electrical conductivity method applicale for QSART

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Shamsuddin et al. have reported that sweating from a sweat gland can be recorded continuously using a technique in which an ion-free solution is perfused to a small region of the skin, with the secreted sweat being detected by changes in electrical conductivity. We have improved Shamsuddin's electrical conductivity cell, and developed a measuring system that can simultaneously record sweating from up to four independent sweat glands. The sudomotor axon reflex was observed using a ring-shaped acetylcholine well placed coaxially in relation to the conductivity cell, and a DC current applied from the well to the counter electrode. The direct effect of acetylcholine on the sweat glands was observed by perfusing acetylcholine solution to a cell attached to the forearm, and then applying a DC current from an electrode in the cell to a counter electrode attached to the body. In single sweat gland measurements, simultaneous recording of two or more sweat glands could be carried out on all subjects, and a subject sweating from four sweat glands could be recorded repeatedly. In most observations, the sweat responses recorded from different sweat glands were different in amplitude and in waveform. However, similar sweat response patterns were occasionally observed. The direct effect of acetylcholine on a sweat gland was recorded after introducing this substance by applying current for about one minute. Pulsatile sweat responses were observed repeatedly, and the responses declined within a period of about 10 min. Axon reflex sweating could be observed, and pulsatile sweat patterns were also recognised.