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Water-immersion wrinkling is due to vasoconstriction
Einar P V Wilder-Smith1, Adeline Chow
1Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore. mdcwse@nus.edu.sg
Muscle & Nerve
|March 14, 2003
Summary
The water-immersion wrinkling test, a measure of sympathetic nerve function, is caused by vasoconstriction in finger pulp. This study quanties blood flow changes during wrinkling for more accurate testing.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- The water-immersion test assesses sympathetic nerve function but its mechanism is unclear.
- Understanding the physiological basis of skin wrinkling is crucial for its clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the underlying mechanism of water-immersion-induced skin wrinkling.
- To investigate the role of blood circulation changes in the hand during this test.
- To quantify sympathetic nerve function using blood flow parameters.
Main Methods:
- Healthy subjects underwent measurements of ulnar and digital artery blood flow velocity.
- Digit skin blood flow was measured before and during water-immersion wrinkling.
- Doppler ultrasound was used to assess blood flow dynamics.
Main Results:
- Water immersion caused a significant reduction in blood flow velocity in all measured vessels.
- The greatest reduction in blood flow velocity was observed in digital arteries.
- Skin wrinkling correlated with vasoconstriction in the digit pulp.
Conclusions:
- Water-immersion-induced skin wrinkling is primarily a result of digit pulp vasoconstriction.
- Blood flow velocity parameters can be used to quantify sympathetic function during this test.
- This research enables more accurate and widespread use of the water-immersion test.