Non-invasive evaluation of vasomotor and metabolic functions of microvascular endothelium in human skin

Abstract

Correlation between metabolic and microhemodynamic processes in skin was assessed through acute pharmacological test with metabolically active Actovegin in 28 healthy volunteers. Laser Doppler flowmetry in combination with wavelet analysis of blood flow oscillations was used to identify functional state of arteriolar–venular areas of microvascular bed in the right forearm skin; capillary blood flow parameters were assessed through computer capillaroscopy in the nail bed of the right hand on the 4th finger. The metabolic effect (improved oxygen uptake and glucose disposal by tissues) was accompanied by significant increase in endothelial rhythm amplitude by 98% (p<0.00006), neurogenic rhythm amplitude by 50% (p<0.003) and myogenic rhythm amplitude by 54% (p<0.03), with capillary blood flow rate increasing by 90μm/s (p<0.04), pericapillary zone reducing by 15μm (p<0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure dropping by 4mm Hg (p<0.02). These results show close correlation between metabolic and microhemodynamic processes, which suggests that the amplitude activity within the range of endothelial rhythm (0.0095–0.021Hz) during laser Doppler flowmetry reflects not only solely vasomotor function but also metabolic function of microvascular endothelium.