Urine color expressed in CIE L*a*b* colorspace during rapid changes in hydration status

BACKGROUND: To investigate how rapid changes in hydration affect urine color expressed in CIE L*a*b* colorspace. METHODS: This study was a two-day crossover design where subjects (N = 30) came in one visit dehydrated, after a 15 h overnight fluid deprivation, and rapidly rehydrated by drinking at least 1000 mL of water in 2 h. On the other visit subjects reported euhydrated and then rapidly dehydrated 2% by walking (3 mph) in a heat chamber (100°F, 50% humidity) for 2 h. Urine samples on both days were collected pre- and post-dehydration/rehydration. Urine osmolality, urine specific gravity, subjective urine color and objective urine color expressed in CIE L*a*b* colorspace were measured. RESULTS: In the dehydration trial participants experienced a significant weight loss of approximately 2% of their starting, euhydrated body weight. The CIE urine color L*-value significantly decreased (−2.3 units) while the b*-value significantly increased (16 units). Subjective urine color significantly increased (1 unit). Urine osmolality increased (25 mmol/kg) and urine specific gravity increased (0.002 g/mL) between the pre- and post-dehydration conditions, however, neither of these changes were statistically significant. In the rehydration trial participants had a significant 1.5% increase in body weight after the ingestion of water. Significant increases were observed in the CIE urine color L*-value (7 units) and a*-value (1.1 units), while the b*-value significantly decreased (−24 units). Subjective urine color significantly decreased (−3 units). Urine osmolality (−600 mmol/kg) and urine specific gravity (−0.018 g/mL) significantly decreased between the pre- and post-rehydration conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional markers of hydration, including urine osmolality and urine specific gravity, did not significantly change in the acute dehydration trial, suggesting that these values may not be responsive to rapid changes in hydration status. However, the CIE L*- and b*-values of urine color significantly decreased in the rapid dehydration trial and significantly increased in the rapid rehydration trial. Thus, the results of the current study suggest that urine color L*- and b*-values expressed in the CIE L*a*b* colorspace were more responsive to changes in hydration status during rapid dehydration than traditional indices of urine concentration and thus may be better markers under such conditions.