To assess the autonomic control of the microcirculation in human skin and nasal mucosa, the spontaneous fluctuations of a laser Doppler signal recorded on forearm skin and nasal mucosa were compared with heart rate fluctuations and the respiratory signal in 11 healthy subjects by means of spectral analysis. Possible direct mechanical-thermal effects of airflow on the nasal mucosa were evaluated by comparing recordings obtained when the subjects were breathing through either the nose or the mouth. Comparison of the spectral analysis of the signal obtained for skin and nasal mucosa blood flow allowed us to define the characteristics of the autonomic tone of the microcirculation in these two areas. The skin is mainly influenced by sympathetic activity, and the nasal blood flow is regulated by both sympathetic and parasympathetic activity.
CaunaN.Electron microscopy of the nasal vascular bed and its nerve supply. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1970; 79: 443–50.
2.
EcclesRWilsonI. The parasympathetic secretory nerves of the nose of the cat. J Physiol (Lond)1973; 230: 213–33.
3.
HallLJJacksonRT. Effects of alfa and beta adrenergic agonists on nasal blood flow. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1968; 77: 1120–30.
4.
AnggardA.The effects of parasympathetic nerve stimulation on the microcirculation and secretion in the nasal mucosa of the cat. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1974; 78: 98–105.
5.
AnderssonK-EBendeM. Adrenoreceptors in the control of human nasal mucosal blood flow. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1984; 93: 179–82.
6.
PaulssonBBendeMOhlinP. Nasal mucosal blood flow at rest and during exercise. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1985;99: 140–3.
7.
OlssonPBendeM. Sympathetic neurogenic control of blood flow in human nasal mucosa. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1986; 102: 482–7.
8.
IrifuneMOginoSHaradaTMatsunagaT. Acute and chronic unilateral cervical sympathectomy on nasal allergy-like symptoms induced by toluene diisocynate in guinea pigs. Acta Otolaryngol [Suppl] (Stockh) 1993(suppl 501): 97–9.
9.
DallimoreNSEcclesR. Changes in human nasal resistance associated with exercise, hyperventilation and rebreathing. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1977; 84: 416–21.
10.
EcclesR.The effects of posture on nasal resistance to airflow. Rhinology1986; 24: 75.
11.
GaliotoGMevioEGaliotoPFornasariGCisterninoMFraiettaL. Modifications of the nasal cycle in patients with hypothalamic disorders: Kallmann's syndrome. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1991; 100: 559–62.
12.
LanghorstPLambertzMSchulzG. Assessment of rhythmicity in the visceral nervous system. In: LowBMallianiAProsdocimiM eds. Neural mechanisms and cardiovascular disease.Padova, Italy: Liviana Press, 1986: 133–44.
13.
Von HolstE.Die relative koordination als phanomen und als methode zentralnervoser funktionsanalyse. Erg Physiol1939; 42: 228–306.
14.
PomerantzBMacAulayRJBCaudillMAAssessment of autonomic function in humans by heart rate spectral analysis. Am J Physiol1985; 248: H151–H153.
15.
PaganiMLombardiFGuzzettiSPower spectral analysis of heart rate and arterial pressure variabilities as a marker of sympatho-vagal interaction in man and conscious dog. Circ Res1986; 59: 178–93.
16.
SalerudEGTenlandTNilssonGEObergPA. Rhythmical variations in human skin blood flow. Int J Microcirc Clin Exp1983; 2: 91–102.
17.
BernardiLRossiMFratinoPFinardiGMevioEOrlandiC. Relationship between phasic changes in human skin blood flow and autonomic tone. Microvasc Res1989; 37: 16–27.
18.
ThakorNVWebsterJGTompkinsWJ. Optimal QRS detector. Med Biol Eng Comput1983; 21: 343–6.
OlssonPBendeMOhlinP. The laser doppler flowmeter for measuring microcirculation in human nasal mucosa. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1985; 99: 133–9.
21.
MevioECastelnuovoPGaliotoPBenazzoM. Variazioni del microcircolo nasale e cocleare rilevate con flussimetria laser Doppler. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital1987; 7: 13–24.
22.
BernardiLCalciatiAMartiGRicordiLRossiMFratinoP. Bedside diagnosis of cardiac autonomic damage by computerized analysis of heart rate-respiration relationship. Acta Diabetol Lat1986; 23: 141–54.
23.
BernardiLRossiMSoffiantinoFCross-correlation between heart rate and respiration versus deep breathing: Assessment of a new test of cardiac autonomic function in diabetes. Diabetes1989; 38: 589–96.
24.
AsakuraKHokiKKatauraAKasabaTAokiM. Control of the nasal mucosa by the tonic activities of the autonomic nervous system in dogs. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1985; 100: 450–5.
25.
MalmL.Vasodilatation in the nasal mucosa of the cat and the effects of parasympathetic and beta-adrenergic blocking agents. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1973; 76: 377–82.
26.
PenazJ.Mayer waves: History and methodology. Automedica1978; 2: 135–41.
27.
NewhouseMTBecklakeMRMacKlemPJMcGregorM. Effect of alterations in end tidal CO2 tension on flow resistance. J Appl Physiol1964; 19: 745–7.
28.
RundcrantzH.Postural variations of nasal patency. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1969; 68: 435–43.
29.
HasegawaMSaitoY. Postural variations in nasal resistance and symptomatology in allergic rhinitis. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1979; 88: 268–72.
