Control of Skin Blood Flow in the Neutral Zone of Human Body Temperature Regulation.
Abstract
In humans, matching of heat loss and heat production in the "neutral" zone, defined operationally in terms of a range of skin temperatures (Tsk), is accomplished by regulation of skin blood flow (SkBF). In four men and four women, we investigated the control of SkBF in this range by setting Tsk at 33 deg C and 35 deg C in a square wave pattern (15 min at each temperature) or a step pattern (60 min at 33 deg C separating short periods at 35 deg C) by means of water sprayed over the entire body except the head, neck, and one forearm. Forearm blood flow (FBF) followed the pattern of Tsk, both in the forearm in which Tsk followed that of the rest of the body and in the arm exposed to room air (average local Tsk 31.22 deg C). Esophageal temperature (Tes) rose after Tsk fell and vice versa. This inverse relationship is predicted by a simple one- compartment thermal model in which control of SkBF is simulated as a linear combination of skin and core temperature (Tc). Similar patterns of Tsk applied to only one arm had little influence on FBF. We conclude that the feedforward reflex influence of Tsk on SkBF overcompensates for the effect of Tsk on thermal balance in the neutral zone so that equilibrium Tc has an inverse relationship to Tsk.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 04, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA291499
Entities
People
- Donald E. Roberts
- George L. Brengelmann
- Margaret V. Savage
- Robert S. Pozos
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center