Exploring in vivo models to characterize peripheral microcirculation – a pilot study

In recent years cutaneous circulation has emerged as an interesting window through which to study microcirculatory function and dysfunction mechanisms. Non-invasive technologies, including Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF), transcutaneous gasimetry and Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), helped to consider cutaneous circulation as a useful translational model in vascular disease. In this study we attempted to evaluate the response profile from a group of healthy young individuals (n=8), of both genders (24,5 ± 0,8 years old) to three perfusion-conditioning maneuvers in the lower limb A: leg elevation while seated; B: leg elevation during dorsal decubitus; C: supra-systolic occlusion with a tourniquet-cuff. Measurement techniques included LDF, transcutaneous (tc) pO2 and pCO2 partial pressures, by gasimetry and TEWL by evaporimetry. Descriptive and nonparametric statistics were applied and a 95% confidence level adopted. tcpO2 and tcpCO2 changed significantly during the maneuvers. A reciprocal evolution profile was registered in LDF and TEWL in A and C which might suggest that under the present experimental conditions local perfusion might influence the epidermal “barrier” function. The proposed models seem to be appropriate to characterize the peripheral microcirculation in vivo, justifying further development studies.