The Microcirculation in Suction Blister Wounds on Upper and Lower Limbs in Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

Functional aspects of the microcirculation were studied in wounds deepithelialized by suction on the upper and lower limbs in healthy male volunteers (n: 8). Daily laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) assessments for four days demonstrated a pronounced and lasting hyperemia in the deeper dermis of the lesions. The hyperemia was less pronounced in the lower limb wounds. On day 0 the LDF values were 144±47 PU (mean±SD, perfusion units) (upper limb) and 96±33 PU (lower limb) (p < 0.05). Intravital microscopy assessments based on the exposed superficial microvessel networks in the wounds also indicated stable conditions. The mean microvessel diameters on the day of infliction were 10±1 mn(upper limb) and 12±2 μm (lower limb) (NS), and the red cell velocity (RBC-V) was 0.62 ± 0.18 mm/s on the upper limb and 0.67±0.13 mm/s on the lower limb. There were no distinct differences in mean microvessel diameters or red cell velocities in comparisons on a day-to-day basis between wounds on the two sites. The latter finding contrasts with the differences in structural response on the two sites that have been described previously. Both the hyperemia and the stable circulatory conditions on the two sites should favor an even rate of drug resorption when the deepithelialized site is used for transdermal drug delivery.