Kidney injury risk during prolonged exposure to current and projected wet bulb temperatures occurring during extreme heat events in healthy young men

Abstract

We have demonstrated that kidney injury risk is increased when men are exposed over an eight hour period to a wet bulb temperature of 31{degree sign}C and exacerbated at a wet bulb temperature of 34{degree sign}C. Importantly, these heat stress conditions parallel those that are encountered during current (31{degree sign}C) and future (34{degree sign}C) extreme heat events. The kidney injury biomarker analyses indicate both the proximal and distal tubules as the locations of potential renal injury, and that the injury is likely due to oxidative stress and inflammation.