“…Vasoactive by-products of metabolism can provide an indirect link between metabolic activity and microvascular tone (166,171,280,441,514). In this scenario, an increase in oxidative metabolism results in the generation of vasodilator metabolites (e.g., adenosine, osmolality, and H + ) and the accumulation of these metabolites in the perivascular space should decrease the tone of (i) arterioles, resulting in an increased blood flow and capillary hydrostatic pressure and (ii) precapillary sphincters, resulting in an increased capillary surface/exchange area.…”