The Origin of the Biphasic Flow Response to Local Heat in Skin

Overview

Journal Microcirculation

Specialties Biology
Cardiology & Vascular Diseases

Date 2008 May 9

PMID 18464163

Citations 2

Authors

R Jay Widmer

Jennifer E Laurinec

Missy F Young

M Waqar Mohiuddin

Glen A Laine

Christopher M Quick

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Although it is well established that the application of local heat causes a biphasic increase in skin blood flow, the responsible microvessels have not been identified.

Methods: A bifurcating network of arterioles (1st-5th orders, 60-15 mum, n = 10 per group) of the intact, unanesthetized, translucent bat wing were visualized on a transparent heat plate via intravital microscopy. Similar to previous bat wing studies, plate temperature was set at 25 degrees C for 10 min then increased to 37 degrees C for 20 min. Vessel diameter and red blood cell velocity were recorded and used to calculate resistance and blood flow.

Results: The average flow response in arterioles was biphasic (p = 0.02) and proportional to the temporal decrease in total resistance calculated from 1st-5th order arterioles. Metarteriole (i.e., 5th order arteriole) resistance had the greatest impact on total resistance (-67.0 +/- 20.7%) and exhibited a biphasic trend that was opposed by temporal changes in resistance of 1st-4th order arterioles.

Conclusion: Metarterioles are not only necessary but sufficient to explain the origin of the biphasic flow response in skin blood flow.

Citing Articles

The use of local concentrated heat versus topical acyclovir for a herpes labialis outbreak: results of a pilot study under real life conditions.

Wohlrab J, Voss F, Muller C, Brenn L Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2013; 6:263-71.

PMID: 24231728 PMC: 3821542. DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S49273.

Are the precapillary sphincters and metarterioles universal components of the microcirculation? An historical review.

Sakai T, Hosoyamada Y J Physiol Sci. 2013; 63(5):319-31.

PMID: 23824465 PMC: 3751330. DOI: 10.1007/s12576-013-0274-7.

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