Enhanced endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in human skin vasculature induced by physical conditioning

We evaluated microvascular reactivity to iontophoretic application of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside through the skin and blood perfusion measurements in the same area using laser Doppler flowmetry

Hebe D�sir�e Kvernmo

2002

Scholarcy highlights

  • Functional alterations to the endothelial cells of the vascular system may contribute to the improved circulatory performance induced by physical conditioning
  • We evaluated microvascular reactivity to iontophoretic application of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside through the skin and blood perfusion measurements in the same area using laser Doppler flowmetry
  • Whereas ACh acts on smooth muscle cells of the vascular system via the production of vasodilator substances from the endothelium, SNP is an endothelium-independent vasodilator acting on vascular smooth muscle cells directly
  • During stimulation by ACh cutaneous perfusion increased to a higher level in the athletes than in the controls, whereas an acute period of exercise abolished this difference
  • The higher cutaneous perfusion responses to stimulation with ACh in the athletes than in the controls may support the hypothesis that regular exercise modifies the responsiveness of the cutaneous endothelium
  • This finding indicated that mechanisms were introduced during exercise, which compensated for the lower endothelial sensitivity to stimulation in the controls at rest

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