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Title

Local heat application to the leg reduces muscle sympathetic nerve activity in human.

Authors

Takahashi, Noriyo; Nakamura, Takeshi; Kanno, Nami; Kimura, Kenichi; Toge, Yasushi; Lee, Kyu-Ha; Tajima, Fumihiro

Abstract

The study was designed to assess the effects of local heat (LH) application on postganglionic muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) measured by microneurography in healthy men. In the first protocol, MSNA of the left peroneal nerve, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and skin temperature of the shin (TSK) were recorded in nine men. In the second protocol, leg blood flow (LBF) was measured in the same subjects by strain-gauge plethysmography. In both protocols, after 10 min of rest in the supine position, a heated hydrocollator pack was applied to the shin and anterior foot for 15 min and recovery was monitored over a period of 20 min. TSK gradually increased from 31.7 ± 0.1 to 41.9 ± 0.5°C (mean ± SEM) during LH. No subject complained of pain, and BP and HR remained constant. The MSNA burst rate (16.1 ± 2.1 beats/min) during the control period decreased significantly (P < 0.05) to 72.0 ± 2.3% during LH. Total MSNA also decreased to 59.2 ± 2.6% (P < 0.05) during LH, but both immediately returned to baseline at recovery. In contrast, LBF in the left leg significantly and immediately increased (P < 0.05) after LH application and remained significantly elevated until the end of the recovery period. These results suggest that: (1) LH application significantly attenuates MSNA without any changes in HR and BP. (2) Other factors in addition to MSNA seem to control regional blood flow in the lower extremity during LH.

Subjects

REGIONAL blood flow; THERMAL stresses; PERONEAL nerve; LEG muscle physiology; SUPINE position; LEG physiology; SYMPATHETIC nervous system physiology; BLOOD circulation; SKELETAL muscle physiology; BIOLOGICAL models; BLOOD pressure; BODY temperature; BODY temperature regulation; COMPARATIVE studies; HEART beat; HEAT; LEG; RESEARCH methodology; MEDICAL cooperation; RESEARCH; SYMPATHETIC nervous system; EVALUATION research; SKIN temperature; SKELETAL muscle; INNERVATION; PHYSIOLOGY

Publication

European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2011, Vol 111, Issue 9, p2203

ISSN

1439-6319

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1007/s00421-011-1852-0

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