The cutaneous circulation has a potential capacity for blood flow of around 8 liters/minute, second only to active skeletal muscle in terms of a potential magnitude for blood flow. Consequently, the skin has importance for temperature regulation, blood pressure regulation and general cardiovascular homeostasis. Largely controlled by reflexes (noradrenergic as well as an active vasodilator system), resistance vessels in skin participate in thermoregulatory reflexes (internal temperature, skin temperature) and in non-thermoregulatory reflexes (baroreceptors, reflexes associated with exercise, diving reflex).
The aim of this proposal is a further exploration of the integration of these reflexes, specifically the integration of thermoregulatory and non-thermoregulatory reflexes. Thus, the independent roles of muscle mass, mode of exercise and level of exercise in the reflex vasoconstrictor control of the cutaneous vasculature will be determined in order to better understand the reflex stimuli associated with exercise in promoting reflex regional vascular responses and in competing with thermoregulatory reflexes in the control of skin blood flow. The role of skin temperature in the cutaneous vasodilation and the changes in cardiac output accompanying prolonged dynamic exercise will be determined. The integration of thermoregulatory and nonthermoregulatory reflexes in determining vasoconstrictor and vasodilator activities will be investigated by examining cutaneous vasodilator responses to baroreceptor stimulation in cool, neutral and warm conditions. The diving reflex will be studied at different temperatures to find the extent to which the cutaneous participation is strictly a thermoregulatory response. We will also explore regional heterogeneity in the cutaneous vascular responses in the above reflex responses. Only through increasing our understanding of this integrative control of skin blood flow can we fully appreciate the impact of heat stress on a circulatory system compromised by disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL020663-11
Application #
3336223
Study Section
Respiratory and Applied Physiology Study Section (RAP)
Project Start
1977-07-01
Project End
1991-03-31
Budget Start
1989-04-01
Budget End
1990-03-31
Support Year
11
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
Department
Type
Overall Medical
DUNS #
800772162
City
San Antonio
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78229
Kellogg Jr, D L; Johnson, J M; Kenney, W L et al. (1993) Mechanisms of control of skin blood flow during prolonged exercise in humans. Am J Physiol 265:H562-8
Johnson, J M (1992) Exercise and the cutaneous circulation. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 20:59-97
Kenney, W L; Johnson, J M (1992) Control of skin blood flow during exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 24:303-12
Kellogg Jr, D L; Johnson, J M; Kosiba, W A (1991) Competition between cutaneous active vasoconstriction and active vasodilation during exercise in humans. Am J Physiol 261:H1184-9
Kellogg Jr, D L; Johnson, J M; Kosiba, W A (1991) Control of internal temperature threshold for active cutaneous vasodilation by dynamic exercise. J Appl Physiol 71:2476-82
Taylor, W F; Johnson, J M; Kosiba, W A (1990) Roles of absolute and relative load in skin vasoconstrictor responses to exercise. J Appl Physiol 69:1131-6
Kellogg Jr, D L; Johnson, J M; Kosiba, W A (1990) Baroreflex control of the cutaneous active vasodilator system in humans. Circ Res 66:1420-6
O'Leary, D S; Johnson, J M (1989) Baroreflex control of the rat tail circulation in normothermia and hyperthermia. J Appl Physiol 66:1234-41
Kellogg Jr, D L; Johnson, J M; Kosiba, W A (1989) Selective abolition of adrenergic vasoconstrictor responses in skin by local iontophoresis of bretylium. Am J Physiol 257:H1599-606
Taylor, W F; Johnson, J M; Kosiba, W A et al. (1989) Cutaneous vascular responses to isometric handgrip exercise. J Appl Physiol 66:1586-92

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