scholarly journals Difference in muscle blood flow fluctuations between dynamic and static thigh muscle contractions: How to evaluate exercise blood flow by Doppler ultrasound

Author(s):  
Takuya Osada ◽  
Göran Rådegran
1981 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 929-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Richardson

Six male subjects within the age range of 20–35 yr consented to perform static calf muscle contractions at 7.5, 15, and 30% of their maximum voluntary contractile strength (MVC) for a period of 2 min each. Isometric contractions were performed in a sitting position by pressing the knee against a solid support plate via plantar flexion. Calf muscle blood flow (BF) was measured periodically before, during, and after each contraction by a Whitney gauge. Average resting BF was 3.9 ml . min-1 . 100 ml-1 of calf volume. During the 7.5, 15, and 30% MVC contractions, BF increased to steady-state levels of 7.2, 7.9, and 5.3 ml . min-1 . 100 ml-1, respectively. The values for 7.5 and 15% MVC were significantly higher than resting BF (P less than or equal to 0.05). The postcontraction hyperemia, measured as the area under the postcontraction BF curve, averaged 4.4, 10.1, and 23.2 ml/100 ml, respectively, for the 7.5, 15, and 30% MVC efforts. Comparison of these values with corresponding hyperemic volumes during contraction showed that the portions of the total BF response that occurred in the postcontraction periods were 41, 57, and 88%, respectively, for the 7.5, 15, and 30% efforts. These results demonstrate that during static calf muscle contractions BF increases by only a modest amount, and at even small forces of contraction a sizable portion of the total flow response occurs in the postcontraction period.


1995 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Lash

During contractions of the spinotrapezius muscle in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), arteriolar dilation is of normal magnitude but tissue PO2 is significantly depressed relative to normotensive [Wistar-Kyoto (WKY)] rats. This study examined the possibility that this low PO2 results from suppressed dilation of the upstream arterial feed vessels and a limitation of muscle blood flow. Contraction-induced changes in vascular resistances (R) and conductances (G) were calculated for upstream (Rup, Gup), microvascular (Rst, Gst), and downstream (Rdown, Gdown) vascular segments from measurements of pressure and flow in the rostral feed artery and vein. Feed arteries were smaller in SHR than in WKY rats at rest and after contractions (rest, 63.0 +/- 2.6 vs. 86.0 +/- 4.8 microns; 2 Hz 84.0 +/- 4.5 vs. 111.0 +/- 7.3 microns; 8 Hz, 130.0 +/- 5.9 vs. 144.0 +/- 7.1 microns). However, relative increases [times control (xCT)] in diameter and flow were greater in SHR (8 Hz diam, 2.080 +/- 0.072 vs. 1.690 +/- 0.042 xCT; 8 Hz flow, 15.700 +/- 2.057 vs. 8.170 +/- 0.752 xCT). In both groups, Rup and Rst decreased 60–70 and 85–90% after 2- and 8-Hz contractions, respectively. However, segmental vascular conductances increased more in SHR than in WKY rats (8 Hz: Gup, 18.50 +/- 3.76 vs. 8.00 +/- 1.26 xCT; Gst, 19.90 +/- 3.73 vs. 10.10 +/- 0.96 xCT; Gdown, 8.80 +/- 1.70 vs. 5.50 +/- 0.88 xCT). Therefore, upstream arterial dilation is not suppressed during muscle contractions in SHR, and deficits in muscle blood flow and oxygen delivery cannot account for the abnormally low tissue PO2 observed during muscle contractions in SHR.


2013 ◽  
Vol 114 (8) ◽  
pp. 1085-1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne R. Crecelius ◽  
Brett S. Kirby ◽  
Jennifer C. Richards ◽  
Frank A. Dinenno

Intravascular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) evokes vasodilation and is implicated in the regulation of skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise. Mechanical stresses to erythrocytes and endothelial cells stimulate ATP release in vitro. How mechanical effects of muscle contractions contribute to increased plasma ATP during exercise is largely unexplored. We tested the hypothesis that simulated mechanical effects of muscle contractions increase [ATP]venous and ATP effluent in vivo, independent of changes in tissue metabolic demand, and further increase plasma ATP when superimposed with mild-intensity exercise. In young healthy adults, we measured forearm blood flow (FBF) (Doppler ultrasound) and plasma [ATP]v (luciferin-luciferase assay), then calculated forearm ATP effluent (FBF×[ATP]v) during rhythmic forearm compressions (RFC) via a blood pressure cuff at three graded pressures (50, 100, and 200 mmHg; Protocol 1; n = 10) and during RFC at 100 mmHg, 5% maximal voluntary contraction rhythmic handgrip exercise (RHG), and combined RFC + RHG ( Protocol 2; n = 10). [ATP]v increased from rest with each cuff pressure (range 144–161 vs. 64 ± 13 nmol/l), and ATP effluent was graded with pressure. In Protocol 2, [ATP]v increased in each condition compared with rest (RFC: 123 ± 33; RHG: 51 ± 9; RFC + RHG: 96 ± 23 vs. Mean Rest: 42 ± 4 nmol/l; P < 0.05), and ATP effluent was greatest with RFC + RHG (RFC: 5.3 ± 1.4; RHG: 5.3 ± 1.1; RFC + RHG: 11.6 ± 2.7 vs. Mean Rest: 1.2 ± 0.1 nmol/min; P < 0.05). We conclude that the mechanical effects of muscle contraction can 1) independently elevate intravascular ATP draining quiescent skeletal muscle without changes in local metabolism and 2) further augment intravascular ATP during mild exercise associated with increases in metabolism and local deoxygenation; therefore, it is likely one stimulus for increasing intravascular ATP during exercise in humans.


1999 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Hicks ◽  
Stuart Mcgill ◽  
Richard L. Hughson

The relationship between tissue oxygenation measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and forearm muscle blood flow (FBF) measured by Doppler ultrasound was tested during isometric contractions at 10 and 30% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) under conditions of normoxia and hypoxia (14% inspired O2). Six subjects maintained contractions at 10% MVCfor 5 min and at 30% for 2 min in both gas conditions. FBF was elevated during exercise at 10% MVC in hypoxia compared to normoxia, but there was no further increase in flow at 30% MVC. Median power frequency calculations from electromyographic recordings suggested progressive development of fatigue throughout both 10 and 30% MVC contractions. NIRS indicated no change in muscle oxygenation at 10% MVC, but deep venous blood O2 saturation was reduced in normoxia and more so in hypoxia. At 30% MVC, both NIRS and venous O2 saturation were reduced, with no effect of hypoxia on the NIRS signal. While NIRS might provide an indication of muscle oxygenation during isometric exercise, the conflicting findings for NIRS and direct venous blood sampling at 10 vs. 30% MVC suggest caution in the application of this noninvasive technique. Key words: exercise, Doppler ultrasound, venous blood. O2 saturation, hemoglobin


2001 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 671-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian D. Hoelting ◽  
Barry W. Scheuermann ◽  
Thomas J. Barstow

Previous studies in isolated muscle preparations have shown that muscle blood flow becomes compromised at higher contraction frequencies. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of increases in contraction frequency and muscle tension on mean blood flow (MBF) during voluntary exercise in humans. Nine male subjects [23.6 ± 3.7 (SD) yr] performed incremental knee extension exercise to exhaustion in the supine position at three contraction frequencies [40, 60, and 80 contractions/min (cpm)]. Mean blood velocity of the femoral artery was determined beat by beat using Doppler ultrasound. MBF was calculated by using the diameter of the femoral artery determined at rest using echo Doppler ultrasound. The work rate (WR) achieved at exhaustion was decreased ( P< 0.05) as contraction frequency increased (40 cpm, 16.2 ± 1.4 W; 60 cpm, 14.8 ± 1.4 W; 80 cpm, 13.2 ± 1.3 W). MBF was similar across the contraction frequencies at rest and during the first WR stage but was higher ( P < 0.05) at 40 than 80 cpm at exercise intensities >5 W. MBF was similar among contraction frequencies at exhaustion. In humans performing knee extension exercise in the supine position, muscle contraction frequency and/or muscle tension development may appreciably affect both the MBF and the amplitude of the contraction-to-contraction oscillations in muscle blood flow.


2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (3) ◽  
pp. R281-R290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Nyberg ◽  
Baraa K. Al-Khazraji ◽  
Stefan P. Mortensen ◽  
Dwayne N. Jackson ◽  
Christopher G. Ellis ◽  
...  

During skeletal muscle contractions, the concentration of ATP increases in muscle interstitial fluid as measured by microdialysis probes. This increase is associated with the magnitude of blood flow, suggesting that interstitial ATP may be important for contraction-induced vasodilation. However, interstitial ATP has solely been described to induce vasoconstriction in skeletal muscle. To examine whether interstitial ATP induces vasodilation in skeletal muscle and to what extent this vasoactive effect is mediated by formation of nitric oxide (NO) and prostanoids, three different experimental models were studied. The rat gluteus maximus skeletal muscle model was used to study changes in local skeletal muscle hemodynamics. Superfused ATP at concentrations found during muscle contractions (1–10 μM) increased blood flow by up to 400%. In this model, the underlying mechanism was also examined by inhibition of NO and prostanoid formation. Inhibition of these systems abolished the vasodilator effect of ATP. Cell-culture experiments verified ATP-induced formation of NO and prostacyclin in rat skeletal muscle microvascular endothelial cells, and ATP-induced formation of NO in rat skeletal muscle cells. To confirm these findings in humans, ATP was infused into skeletal muscle interstitium of healthy subjects via microdialysis probes and found to increase muscle interstitial concentrations of NO and prostacyclin by ∼60% and ∼40%, respectively. Collectively, these data suggest that a physiologically relevant elevation in interstitial ATP concentrations increases muscle blood flow, indicating that the contraction-induced increase in skeletal muscle interstitial [ATP] is important for exercise hyperemia. The vasodilator effect of ATP application is mediated by NO and prostanoid formation.


Author(s):  
Masashi Ichinose ◽  
Mikie Nakabayashi ◽  
Yumie Ono

Previous studies showed that conduit artery blood flow rapidly increases after even a brief contraction of muscles within the dependent limb. Whether this rapid hyperemia occurs within contracted skeletal muscle in humans has yet to be confirmed, however. We therefore used diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) to characterize the rapid hyperemia and vasodilatory responses within the muscle microvasculature induced by single muscle contractions in humans. Twenty-five healthy male volunteers performed single 1-s isometric handgrips at 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). DCS probes were placed on the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle, and a skeletal muscle blood flow index (SMBFI) was derived continuously. At the same time, brachial artery blood flow (BABF) responses were measured using Doppler ultrasound. Single muscle contractions evoked rapid, monophasic increases in both SMBFI and BABF that occurred within 3 s after release of contraction. The initial and peak responses increased with increases in contraction intensity and were greater for BABF than for SMBFI at all intensities. BABF reached its peak within 5 to 8 s after the end of contraction. The SMBFI continued to increase after the BABF passed its peak and was decreasing toward the resting level and peaked about 10 to 15 s after completion of the contraction. We conclude that single muscle contractions induce rapid, intensity-dependent hyperemia within the contracted skeletal muscle microvasculature. Moreover, the characteristics of the rapid hyperemia and vasodilatory responses of skeletal muscle microvessels differ from that simultaneously evaluated in the upstream conduit artery.


1985 ◽  
Vol 249 (1) ◽  
pp. E63-E69 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Elander ◽  
J. P. Idstrom ◽  
T. Schersten ◽  
A. C. Bylund-Fellenius

A rat model was developed in which the adaptive effects of exposing skeletal muscle tissue to a reduced blood flow during muscle contractions could be studied. The common iliac artery was ligated in one hindlimb, using the other as control. This procedure reduced the exercise blood flow to the individual muscles of the lower limb by 76-93%, evaluated with the microsphere technique. Muscle contractions were induced by electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerves in both legs. After intermittent stimulation for 6 days, a significant increase in citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase activities was found in the soleus (26%) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL, 20%) muscles of the ligated legs compared with the control legs. Resting metabolite concentrations were also measured, and a reduction of the ATP level (soleus 35%, EDL 14%) and an increased glycogen content (55-71%) were found. These results demonstrate that a reduced blood flow during muscle contractions provokes an adaptive increase of the oxidative enzyme capacity as well as altered resting levels of intracellular metabolites.


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