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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-08-2015 | Original Article

Vascular responses of the extremities to transdermal application of vasoactive agents in Caucasian and African descent individuals

Authors: Matthew J. Maley, James R. House, Michael J. Tipton, Clare M. Eglin

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 8/2015

Abstract

Purpose

Individuals of African descent (AFD) are more susceptible to non-freezing cold injury than Caucasians (CAU) which may be due, in part, to differences in the control of skin blood flow. We investigated the skin blood flow responses to transdermal application of vasoactive agents.

Methods

Twenty-four young males (12 CAU and 12 AFD) undertook three tests in which iontophoresis was used to apply acetylcholine (ACh 1 w/v %), sodium nitroprusside (SNP 0.01 w/v %) and noradrenaline (NA 0.5 mM) to the skin. The skin sites tested were: volar forearm, non-glabrous finger and toe, and glabrous finger (pad) and toe (pad).

Results

In response to SNP on the forearm, AFD had less vasodilatation for a given current application than CAU (P = 0.027–0.004). ACh evoked less vasodilatation in AFD for a given application current in the non-glabrous finger and toe compared with CAU (P = 0.043–0.014) with a lower maximum vasodilatation in the non-glabrous finger (median [interquartile], AFD n = 11, 41[234] %, CAU n = 12, 351[451] %, P = 0.011) and non-glabrous toe (median [interquartile], AFD n = 9, 116[318] %, CAU n = 12, 484[720] %, P = 0.018). ACh and SNP did not elicit vasodilatation in the glabrous skin sites of either group. There were no ethnic differences in response to NA.

Conclusion

AFD have an attenuated endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in non-glabrous sites of the fingers and toes compared with CAU. This may contribute to lower skin temperature following cold exposure and the increased risk of cold injuries experienced by AFD.

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Title: Vascular responses of the extremities to transdermal application of vasoactive agents in Caucasian and African descent individuals
Authors: Matthew J. Maley
James R. House
Michael J. Tipton
Clare M. Eglin
Publication date: 01-08-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 8/2015
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3164-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Vascular responses of the extremities to transdermal application of vasoactive agents in Caucasian and African descent individuals

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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