Asymmetrical responses of skin blood flow in ischemic hindlimbs to electrical stimulation of the unilateral forelimb

Abstract The regulation of skin blood flow (SBF) is primarily mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, but the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) of one limb on SBF in the other limbs remain unknown. The present study investigated the effects of unilateral forelimb ES on SBF in the bilateral hindlimbs in anesthetized rats. Bilateral hindlimb ischemia was induced by tourniquet application for 60 min. After reperfusion for 24 h, ES (3 or 125 Hz) was applied to the upper one-fourth of the triceps brachii muscle of the left or right forelimb for 30 min. Rats that did not receive ES were used as the controls. Bilateral hindlimb SBF was measured by a laser Doppler line scanner for 20 min before ES, 30 min during ES, and 9 min after ES. The results showed significant differences in SBF in the right but not left hindlimb between the control group and experimental group that received 125-Hz ES of the right forelimb. Right hindlimb SBF significantly increased within 3 min following the application of 125-Hz ES to the right forelimb. No significant changes in SBF were observed in the left or right hindlimb when 125-Hz ES was applied to the left forelimb. Moreover, 3-Hz ES of the left or right forelimb did not significantly change SBF in either hindlimb compared with the control group. These results indicate that unilateral forelimb ES causes a differential SBF response in the hindlimb via a specific somatosympathetic reflex, and ES-induced SBF improvements in the ischemic hindlimb are frequency-dependent.