Affiliations: Department of Biomedicine, School of Health Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Malaysia | Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Malaysia | Reconstructive Sciences Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Malaysia | Pediatrics Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Malaysia | Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences, 43000 Cyberjaya, Malaysia
Note: [] Corresponding author: G.B. Yvonne-Tee, PhD, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Malaysia. Tel.: +60 9 766 3894; Fax: +60 9 764 7884; E-mail: yvonne@kb.usm.my.
Abstract: Introduction: Recent development had allowed non-invasive assessment of microvascular function in vivo; however, the method has not been fully optimized and standardized. In this study, we aimed to characterize the “effective” occlusion duration needed to elicit sufficient postocclusive hyperemia (PORH) responses in forearm skin using laser Doppler fluximetry (LDF), in subjects with differing age, gender and menstrual phases. Materials and methods: A total of 120 healthy subjects were studied (20 subjects each in the age ranges of 21–30, 31–40, 41–50 for both genders). Male subjects were randomized to receive 1, 2 or 3 min occlusion on three study days. Females attended six study days: the first three days (with different occlusion times) were performed during low estrogenic phase of menstrual cycle and subsequent three visits were done during high estrogenic phase. Skin perfusion was measured before, during and after occlusion using LDF. The magnitude and temporal courses of PORH were expressed as PORHmax (absolute maximal increase in hyperemia perfusion) and Tp (time-to-peak), respectively. Results: For PORHmax analysis, the occlusion duration should be applied based on one's age, gender and menstrual phase. The PORH responses were more consistent during high estrogenic phase with 2 min found as the “effective” occlusion duration in all female groups. For Tp analysis, 3 min occlusion produced the significant change in all age ranges for both genders irrespective of menstrual phase. Conclusion: This study revealed that for assessment of microvascular function using PORH+LDF model, the occlusion duration for PORHmax is influenced by age, gender and menstrual phase. Measurement based on Tp is however independent of these factors.
