Reactive Hyperemia in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue in Man

Blood flow in the subcutaneous tissue on the calf was measured with the local Xenon‐133 washout method after varying periods of ischemia. Reactive hyperemia occurred. Maximal flow, cumulative flow, and excess flow were dependent on the duration of the ischemia. The increase in cumulative flow caused by increment in the duration of the ischemic period was characteristic for each individual and was significantly correlated to the resting blood flow. This probably indicates adipose tissue blood flow to be governed by local metabolic factors, as the tissue only shows a limited auto regulatory response.