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Biomedical subjects

L B Rowell

Publications and source records attributed to L B Rowell.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Cardiovascular responses to graded reductions in hindlimb perfusion in exercising dogs.

In six dogs trained to run at 2, 4, and 6 mph, we caused graded reductions in hindlimb perfusion by compressing the terminal aorta. Our goal was to examine the relationship between hindlimb perfusion [terminal aortic flow (TAQ) and femoral arterial pressure (FP)] and cardiovascular responses [aortic pressure (AP), heart rate, and ascending aortic flow (CO)]. Small reductions in TAQ and FP produced bradycardia, small decreases in CO, and small increases in AP. Further reductions in TAQ and FP produced tachycardia, increased CO, and large increases in AP. AP rose by about 1 mmHg for each 1-mmHg fall in FP. The response was similar at all speeds, but as work load increased it required smaller reductions in FP and TAQ to cause a pressor response (e.g., at 6 mph we could not demonstrate a nonlinear relationship between TAQ and AP). At low work loads the cardiovascular responses to exercise were most likely set by signals other than feedback from exercising muscle because substantial reductions in hindlimb perfusion caused no significant cardiovascular responses. At moderate-to-high work loads or where muscle perfusion is restricted, metabolic feedback from muscle may play a role in cardiovascular responses to exercise.

Animals↗

Regional distribution of blood flow during mild dynamic leg exercise in the baboon.

Five chair-restrained baboons were trained with operant techniques and a food reward to perform dynamic leg exercise. Cardiac output and blood flows to most tissues were determined by radioactive microsphere distribution. After 2 min of exercise mean arterial blood pressure had increased by 11 +/- 3% (SE), heart rate by 34 +/- 7%, cardiac output by 50 +/- 12%, and O2 consumption by 157 +/- 17%. The blood flow to exercising leg muscle increased by 585 +/- 338% and to the myocardium by 35 +/- 19%. Blood flow to torso and limb skin fell by 38 +/- 4 and 38 +/- 6%, respectively, and similar reductions occurred in adipose tissue blood flow. Nonworking skeletal muscle blood flow decreased by 30 +/- 10%. Renal blood flow was lowered by 16 +/-2%. The lower visceral organs had more variable responses, but when grouped together total splanchnic blood flow fell by 21 +/- 9%. Blood flow to the brain was unchanged with exercise, whereas spinal cord perfusion increased 23 +/- 3%. Thus during short dynamic exercise baboons redistributed blood flow away from skin, fat, nonworking muscles, and visceral organs to supply the needs of exercising muscles. Our data suggest the baboon is a useful animal model for investigating vascular responses of tissues, such as torso skin, adipose, individual visceral organs, and the spinal cord, that cannot be examined in humans.

Adipose Tissue↗

Splanchnic vasoconstriction in heat-stressed men: role of renin-angiotensin system.

We conducted a two-part study to determine whether the renin-angiotensin system contributes to the rise in splanchnic vascular resistance (SVR) during heat stress (rectal temperature was raised 1 degree C). In experiment 1 (control) seven men on a normal salt diet were directly heated (water-perfused suits) for 40-50 min. Arterial pressure (85 Torr) was unchanged; plasma renin activity (PRA) rose from 102 to 239 ng angiotensin I.100 ml-1.3 h-1; and SVR increased 73% (from 63 to 109 units). Experiment 2 was a repetition of experiment 1 on the same subjects, except that propranolol (10 mg iv) was given at the onset of heating to block renin release. Propranolol attenuated the rise in heart rate and reduced mean arterial pressure from 82 to 72 Torr; it blocked the rise in PRA with heating in two subjects, reduced it in three, but increased it in two. Although changes in SVR paralleled those in PRA in three subjects, SVR still rose 60% (from 58 to 99 units) after PRA rise was blocked. In both experiments, plasma norepinephrine concentration rose indicating increased sympathetic nervous activity. During mild heat stress, increased PRA is not a major factor in the increase of SVR.

Adult↗

Cutaneous vascular response to exercise and acute hypoxia.

Six normal young men were studied during 50 min of moderate exercise (100-137 W) that included one 15-min (protocol 1) or two 10-min periods of breathing 11-12% O2 (in N2) (protocol 2). Absolute work intensity was kept constant for each subject, but relative severity increased during hypoxia owing to reduction in maximum O2 uptake. Our question was whether hypoxia causes cutaneous vasoconstriction; this in turn should cause a rise in esophageal temperature (Tes) and a shift in the forearm skin blood flow (SkBF)-Tes relationship. In all subjects forearm blood flow (FBF) (venous occlusion plethysmography) rose throughout exercise and Tes tended to stabilize. Neither 10- nor 15-min periods of hypoxia caused systematic changes in FBF or Tes or their relationship to each other. We conclude that hypoxia equivalent to that incurred at 4,500-5,000 m does not significantly alter the short-term regulation of SkBF and body temperature during moderate exercise. Net cutaneous vasoconstriction is not elicited by arterial chemoreflexes under these conditions.

Adult↗

Absence of active cutaneous vasodilation associated with congenital absence of sweat glands in humans.

In the rare syndrome, hereditary anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (AED), sweat glands are congenitally absent. Assuming normal vasculature and normal central mechanisms, presence or absence of active cutaneous vasodilation (AVD) in hyperthermic subjects with AED critically tests the hypothesis that AVD is a consequence of sudomotor activity. Three men with full expression of the syndrome and a woman who is mosaic were heated in water-perfused suits until oral temperature was 1.4-1.7 degrees C above control. The men showed no sweat gland imprints on iodine-treated paper nor significant elevation in forearm blood flow (FBF, determined plethysmographically). In the woman, we observed sweat gland activity, approximately 9 and 22 glands/cm2, on the right and left side, respectively, and vasodilation, slight on the right and more on the left. Cutaneous vasoconstriction in response to negative pressure applied to the lower body was observed (3 subjects) and local FBF increased in response to local heating (2 subjects). Therefore, in AED, with apparently normal cutaneous vasculature and sympathetic innervation, AVD is absent as well as sweat glands.

Adolescent↗

Vasomotor control in healed grafted skin in humans.

Do the vasomotor functions unique to skin recover in a skin graft? To determine whether locally mediated vasodilation and active reflex vasodilation recovery, we applied direct heating and whole-body heating, respectively. Also, presence of sympathetic cutaneous vasoconstriction was tested with application of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) during local heating. Subjects were six men who had been severely burned. Forearm blood flow (FBF) was recorded (venous occlusion plethysmography) in regions with healed split-thickness circumferential grafts. All subjects responded normally to local heating of the forearm (irrigation with 42 degrees C water). All but one showed cutaneous vasoconstriction in response to LBNP. Three subjects responded normally to whole-body heating with water-perfused suits (oral temperature elevation approximately 1.5 degrees C); two subjects had attenuated responses. No active vasodilation was normal cutaneous vasomotor functions return in (or under) split-thickness skin grafts, recovery and associated thermoregulatory function may be attenuated or absent, perhaps in relation to the survival of dermis.

Adolescent↗

Functional adaptations to physical activity and inactivity.

Rather than focusing on the performance criteria accompanying adaptation to physical activity, this paper emphasizes the magnitudes of alteration in the function of the circulatory, respiratory, and metabolic systems with adaptation. It is our opinion that the limitation of maximal aerobic power resides in the transport of oxygen to working muscle by the circulation. Increases in maximal aerobic power that accompany physical conditioning are attributed primarily to increased maximal muscle blood flow and muscle capillary density. The increase in the oxidative potential of skeletal muscle after training is presented as the mechanism by which capacity for submaximal work is augmented.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Blockade of the pressor response to muscle ischemia by sensory nerve block in man.

Differential nerve block from peridural anesthesia was used to determine a) if the pressor response to muscle ischemia in man is caused by stimulation of small sensory nerve fibers and b) if these fibers contribute to cardiovascular-respiratory responses during dynamic exercise. Four men exercised at 50-100 W for 5 min. Muscle ischemia and a sustained pressor response were produced by total circulatory occlusion of both legs beginning 30 s before the end of exercise and continuing for 3 min postexercise. During regression of full motor and sensory block, motor strength recovered while sensory block continued; the pressor response was blocked as long as sensory anesthesia persisted (two subjects). During blockade of the pressor response, cardiovascular-respiratory responses to exercise gradually returned from augmented to normal (preblock) levels. Sensory blockade was incomplete in two subjects and the pressor response was not fully blocked. We conclude that stimulation of small sensory fibers during ischemia elicits the pressor response, but that these fibers appear not to contribute to cardiovascular-respiratory responses during mild dynamic exercise with adequate blood flow.

Adult↗

Regional distribution of blood flow in awake heat-stressed baboons.

Radioactive microspheres (containing six different nuclide labels) were used to measure blood flow (BF) to most major organs of eight conscious baboons during heat stress. Cardiac output (CO), arterial mean pressure, and arterial PO2, PCO2, and pH did not change, but heart rate increased and stroke volume fell as body temperature increased by as much as 2.56 degrees C. Skin BF increased in all regions sampled so that the fraction of CO distributed to skin (not including feet and hands) increased from 3% (control) to 14%. Increased skin BF was compensated for by decreases in splanchnic (intestines, stomach, pancreas, and spleen) (35%), renal (27%), and possibly muscle BF. There was no change in BF to the brain, spinal cord, coronary, or subcutaneous adipose tissue during heating. Therefore, baboons show a generalized redistribution of BF during heat stress, so that increments in skin BF are provided without increases in CO, whereas man depends on changes in both; despite this latter difference between the baboon and man, the similarity in magnitude of the splanchnic and renal vasoconstriction between the two primates may indicate that the baboon would be a suitable animal model for investigations into mechanisms of changes in regional blood flow in man during heat stress.

Adipose Tissue↗

Role of cardiac output in the pressor responses to graded muscle ischemia in man.

Ten men repeatedly performed leg exercise (100-150 W) for 7 min with 30-min recovery periods interspersed. Both legs were made ischemic by total occlusion (OCCL), first for 3 min immediately after exercise and second for 30 s before exercise ended and 3 min into recovery. In addition legs were occluded for 3 min at rest (seated). OCCL at rest increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) by 9 Torr but did not affect cardiac output (CO) or heart rate (HR). OCCL at the end of exercise significantly raised MAP and HR above control values during 3-min recovery but CO was unaffected. OCCL 30 s before the end of exercise further increased MAP and HR significantly during recovery; MAP, CO, and HR were significantly increased above control values (CO by 2.1 1-min-1) during the 3rd min of recovery. We conclude that a strong reflex from ischemic legs maintains normal or elevated CO during leg OCCL. Thus CO was too high relative to total vascular conductance so that MAP was elevated.

Blood Pressure↗

Cardiovascular responses to muscle ischemia in man--dependency on muscle mass.

We sought to determine whether the pressor response to exercise-induced muscle ischemia is related to the mass of tissue rendered ischemic. Six men repeatedly exercised for 5 min at a fixed load between 75 and 150 W (bicycle ergometer). Thirty seconds before the end of exercise, circulation to one calf, two calves, one leg, and two legs was arrested with pneumatic cuffs in successive tests with 15-min recovery periods interspersed. Each occlusion was maintained until the 3rd min of exercise recovery. During postexercise occlusion we observed 1) mean arterial pressure (MAP) was elevated in proportion to the mass of ischemic muscle, 2) forearm blood flow (FBF) was elevated during the overlap of occlusion with exercise but did not show a uniform response during the following 3 min of occlusion--either vasoconstriction or vasodilation occurred, 3) heart rate (HR) was elevated only when two legs were occluded, and 4) occlusion did not affect ventilation or endtidal CO2. We conclude that the ischemic pressor response is muscle mass-dependent. Our findings suggest that the baroreflex alters peripheral vascular resistance so as to aid in the maintenance of elevated MAP.

Adult↗

Temperature control system for water-perfused suits.

A system used to control skin temperature in human subjects wearing water-perfused garments is described, It supplies 8 l/min at 10 psi with water temperature controlled within +/-0.1 degree C. Temperature control is facilitated by a low circulating thermal mass and a fast responding heater based on a commercially available quartz heat lamp. The system is open so that hot or cold water can be added from the building mains to produce rates of change or water temperature exceeding 5 degrees C/min. These capabilities allow semiautomatic control of skin temperature within +/-1 degree C of desired wave forms. Potential hazards and associated safety devices are described.

Humans↗