Evaluation of haemoglobin changes of skin and muscle tissue of the calf induced by topical application of a nonivamide / nicoboxil cream

Abstract

Topical agents inducing hyperaemisation like nonivamide or nicoboxil increase cutaneous blood flow and temperature and induce erythema. It is not proven up to now whether there is also a hyperaemisation effect in skeletal muscle. This study has the objective to determine the effects of a nonivamide / nicoboxil cream on haemodynamics in skin and calf muscle via optical spectroscopy in the visible and near-infrared with a separation of changes for skin and muscle. Left and right calves of 14 healthy subjects were treated with a nonivamide / nicoboxil cream or mock administration, and cutaneous and muscle haemoglobin were measured using a combined NIRS / VIS sensor. The topical application of the cream increased the concentration of oxygenated haemoglobin and tissue oxygen saturation significantly in skin as well as in muscle of the treated legs already after 15 minutes, with stronger and faster effects in skin. In contrast, the change in deoxygenated haemoglobin was found to be small. The kinetic of all changes varied widely between the subjects. The found haemoglobin changes might explain the beneficial effect of hyperaemisation creams for the treatment of minor injuries.

No Influence of Nonivamide-nicoboxil on the Peak Power Output in Competitive Sportsmen

“…In the present study, the application of F led to a significantly higher (p < 0.01) smO 2 during hypoxia at rest (HF) and submaximal intensities (50 % and 75 % of PPO NP ). As mentioned in the introduction, the physiological mechanisms induced by the application of F are not yet sufficiently clarified [10]. The results of the present study are in line with the results of Warnecke et al [10] who showed an increased O 2 Hb and O 2 -saturation in the region cruris posterior above of the M. gastrocnemius and M. soleus after the application of F under resting conditions.…”

“…As mentioned in the introduction, the physiological mechanisms induced by the application of F are not yet sufficiently clarified [10]. The results of the present study are in line with the results of Warnecke et al [10] who showed an increased O 2 Hb and O 2 -saturation in the region cruris posterior above of the M. gastrocnemius and M. soleus after the application of F under resting conditions. In contrast, Zinner et al [12] detected no increase of O 2 saturation in the M. vastus lateralis.…”

“…The use of a blood circulation-promoting cream (nonivamidenicoboxil cream: F) could be another way to increase the O 2 supply in the muscles and therefore athletes' performance. As described by Warnecke et al [10] nonivamide (N-Vanillyl-Nonamid) is a synthetic agent related to capsaicin, which leads in combination with esters of nicotinic acid (nicoboxil) to hyperemia after application. The use of a nonivamide-nicoboxil cream increases the O 2 Hb level with a simultaneous (but lower) reduction of the deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb), and thus results in an increase of the total hemoglobin (tHb = HHb + O 2 Hb) in the muscle [10].…”

“…As described by Warnecke et al [10] nonivamide (N-Vanillyl-Nonamid) is a synthetic agent related to capsaicin, which leads in combination with esters of nicotinic acid (nicoboxil) to hyperemia after application. The use of a nonivamide-nicoboxil cream increases the O 2 Hb level with a simultaneous (but lower) reduction of the deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb), and thus results in an increase of the total hemoglobin (tHb = HHb + O 2 Hb) in the muscle [10]. Earlier radioactive tracer experiments revealed an increase in muscle blood flow through the application of a nonivamide-nicoboxil [11].…”

“…However, a lack of research regarding the effects of local blood flow and oxygenation during exercise under hypoxic conditions still exists. Only a few studies have investigated the influence of increased muscular perfusion on O 2 saturation in normoxia [10][11][12] or focused on the effects of local blood flow and muscle oxygenation on physical performance [12,13]. Thus, the question arises, whether the vasodilatory effect of F may favor the local muscle oxygenation and increases the performance during normoxic (N) and hypoxic (H) conditions.…”