Laterality of Blood Perfusion in the Lower Extremities after Drinking Saline at Different Temperatures

Abstract

Background: Skin blood flux (SkBF) changes caused by drinking cold water are generally associated with vagal tone and osmotic factors in the digestive system. However, the distribution and regulation of bilateral blood flow are not symmetrical but exhibit a certain laterality. The aim of this study was to analyze the laterality of SkBF after drinking saline (0.9%) at different temperatures by monitoring blood flux in the bilateral lower extremities.Methods: A total of 60 subjects were recruited for this study, and all subjects completed all measurements. Subjects were randomly divided into a 4 °C group, 10 °C group and 30 °C group. For every subject, skin blood perfusion of bilateral Zusanli acupoints (ST 36) was recorded simultaneously before and after drinking 500 ml of 0.9% saline using a PeriFlux System 5000. The electrogastrogram (EGG) was also monitored, and the dominant frequency of the EGG and heart rate variability were analyzed.Results: The results indicated that after drinking saline at different temperatures, the laterality index of SkBF at the lower extremities was different. Drinking 30 °C saline can increase the laterality index of the lower extremities. Stimulation at 4 °C and 10 °C resulted in a decrease in the DF of the EGG and an increased RMSSD of the RR interval. Although this laterality is mainly contributed to by frequency interval V, there was a weak negative correlation between the laterality index of frequency interval I or II and RMSSD.Conclusion: There was laterality of blood perfusion in the lower extremities after drinking saline at different temperatures.