Changes in frequency components of blood flow oscillations in hyperglycemic obese people

Microvascular dysfunctions are responsible for the vascular complications of diabetes, frequently observed in obese subjects. The present study was aimed to assess microvascular skin blood flow and related oscillations in hyperglycemic obese subjects. Twenty-eight normoglycemic controls and twenty-nine hyperglycemic subjects were recruited from our Outpatient Clinics. Anthropometric measurements were evaluated and bioimpedance analysis was performed. Moreover, glycemia, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and basal insulin were measured. Finally, skin microvascular blood flow was determined by a laser Doppler flowmeter and oscillations in flow were analyzed by power spectrum methods. The mean skin blood flow and total power spectral density were lower in the hyperglycemic patients than in normoglycemic controls. Moreover, hyperglycemic subjects showed lower power spectral density of oscillations, related to myogenic activity, compared to the those observed in normoglycemic people. Therefore, hyperglycemia appears to be associated to impaired vascular smooth muscle cell function and alterations in microvascular blood flow regulation.