Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the unique imaging abilities of optoacoustic mesoscopy to visualize skin structures and microvasculature with the view of establishing a robust approach for monitoring heat-induced hyperemia in human skin in vivo. Using raster-scan optoacoustic mesoscopy (RSOM), we investigated whether optoacoustic (photoacoustic) mesoscopy can identify changes in skin response to local heating at microvasculature resolution in a cross-sectional fashion through skin in the human forearm. We visualized the heat-induced hyperemia for the first time with single-vessel resolution throughout the whole skin depth. We quantified changes in total blood volume in the skin and their correlation with local heating. In response to local heating, total blood volume increased 1.83- and 1.76-fold, respectively, in the volar and dorsal aspects of forearm skin. We demonstrate RSOM imaging of the dilation of individual vessels in the skin microvasculature, consistent with hyperemic response to heating at the skin surface. Our results demonstrate great potential of RSOM for elucidating the morphology, functional state and reactivity of dermal microvasculature, with implications for diagnostics and disease monitoring. Image: Cross-sectional view of skin microvasculature dilated in response to hyperthermia.
Highlights
Analysis of skin morphology and microvasculature as well as its response to external stimuli such as heating or pharmacological treatments may reveal vasculature dysfunctions linked to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome [1] [2] [3]
Using raster-scan optoacoustic mesoscopy (RSOM), we investigated whether optoacoustic mesoscopy can identify changes in skin response to local heating at microvasculature resolution in a cross-sectional fashion through skin in the human forearm
Congestive heart failure [7] [8], atherosclerosis [9] and metabolic syndrome [10] may be associated with altered vascular responses, which can be measured as an impairment in heat-induced vasodilation and associated increase in skin perfusion, known as hyperemia [7]
Summary
Analysis of skin morphology and microvasculature as well as its response to external stimuli such as heating or pharmacological treatments may reveal vasculature dysfunctions linked to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome [1] [2] [3]. This is hardly surprising given that the skin, the largest organ of the human body, is regulated by metabolic and homeostatic processes and is systemically affected by various health conditions.
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