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. 2021 Jul;28(5):e12690.
doi: 10.1111/micc.12690. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Distinct roles of red-blood-cell-derived and wall-derived mechanisms in metabolic regulation of blood flow

Brendan C Fry  1 , Timothy W Secomb  2
Affiliations

Distinct roles of red-blood-cell-derived and wall-derived mechanisms in metabolic regulation of blood flow

Brendan C Fry et al. Microcirculation. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: A theoretical model is used to analyze combinations of RBC-derived and wall-derived (RBC-independent) mechanisms for metabolic blood flow regulation, with regard to their oxygen transport properties.

Methods: Heterogeneous microvascular network structures are derived from observations in rat mesentery and hamster cremaster. The effectiveness of metabolic blood flow regulation using combinations of RBC-dependent and RBC-independent mechanisms is simulated in these networks under conditions of reduced oxygen delivery and increased oxygen demand.

Results: Metabolic regulation by a wall-derived mechanism results in higher predicted total blood flow rate and number of flowing vessels, and lower tissue hypoxic fraction, than regulation by combinations of RBC-derived and wall-derived signals. However, a combination of RBC-derived and wall-derived signals results in a higher predicted median tissue PO2 than either mechanism acting alone.

Conclusions: Model results suggest complementary roles for RBC-derived and wall-derived mechanisms of metabolic flow regulation, with the wall-derived mechanism responsible for avoiding hypoxia, and the RBC-derived mechanism responsible for maintaining PO2 levels high enough for optimal tissue function.

Keywords: hematocrit; hemodilution; microvascular networks; oxygen transport; theoretical model; vascular tone.

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References

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