Promotion of palmar sweating with oral phosphatidylcholine

Abstract

Since acetylcholine is the main neurotransmitter of eccrine sweating, phosphatidylcholine ingestion might increase sweating. In 10 adults mid-palmar sweating was measured 12 hours after ingestion of a high and a low phosphatidylcholine supper. In a double blind, crossover study, mid-palmar sweating was measured in 11 consenting adults 12 hours after a low phosphatidylcholine supper taken with either lecithin or placebo. Five minutes after cleaning the palm and drying, sweat was captured in a quick-drying plastic film. The film was removed with cellophane tape and placed on a glass slide. Mean "droplet" diameter was measured by averaging the greatest diameter of 25 "droplets." Ten of 10 subjects (100%) produced more sweat with a high phosphatidylcholine meal than with a low one. Compared to placebo, 10 of 11 subjects (91%) given lecithin had significantly increased sweat secretion (p less than 0.01). It remains to be confirmed that this phosphatidylcholine-induced sweating increase is clinically significant.