Effect of Smoking on Cutaneous Vascular Responses to Exercise in Healthy, Exercise-Trained, Heat-Acclimated Humans

摘要

The purpose of this study was to examine vascular responses to exercise in individuals with a risk factor for atherogenesis compared to individuals who did not share that particular risk. It was hypothesized that smokers (S; n = 4) had less compliant cutaneous vessels than nonsmokers (NS; n=4). Esophageal (Tes) and skin temperatures (Tsk), heart rate (HR), blood pressure, forearm skin blood flow (SkBF) and forearm blood flow (FBF) were measured at rest, during 30 min cycle exercise (60% peak aerobic power), following arterial occlusion (reactive hyperemia) and during recovery at 30 degrees Centigrade. Tes, Tsk and FBF were not different between S and NS at rest, during exercise or recovery. HR was higher in smokers at rest (S =69+9; NS=58+5 bpm; p=0.05) and during recovery (S=90+10; NS=75+10 bpm; p=0.07), but not different during exercise. During hyperemia, cutaneous vascular conductance (SkBF/MAP) averaged 3.5 ml/100 ml/min/Torr lower in S than NS (p =0.03). Thermoregulatory responses were not compromised during the 30-min exercise in a warm environment. However, during recovery, HR was increased and reactive hyperemia was decreased in smokers.