Neural control of sweat secretion: a review

Background Humans have 4 million exocrine sweat glands, which can be classified into two types: eccrine and apocrine glands. Sweat secretion, a constitutive feature, is directly involved in thermoregulation and metabolism, and is regulated by both the central nervous system (CNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS). Objectives To explore how sweat secretion is controlled by both the CNS and the ANS and the mechanisms behind the neural control of sweat secretion. Methods We conducted a literature search on PubMed for reports in English from 1 January 1950 to 31 December 2016. Results and Conclusions Acetylcholine acts as a potent stimulator for sweat secretion, which is released by sympathetic nerves. beta-adrenoceptors are found in adipocytes as well as apocrine glands, and these receptors may mediate lipid secretion from apocrine glands for sweat secretion. The activation of beta-adrenoceptors could increase sweat secretion through opening of Ca2+ channels to elevate intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Ca2+ and cyclic adenosine monophosphate play a part in the secretion of lipids and proteins from apocrine glands for sweat secretion. The translocation of aquaporin 5 plays an important role in sweat secretion from eccrine glands. Dysfunction of the ANS, especially the sympathetic nervous system, may cause sweating disorders, such as hypohidrosis and hyperhidrosis.