[Oxygen status and regional blood flow in the gingival mucosa as affected by lower body negative pressure]

Five test subjects were exposed to lower body negative pressure (LBNP). During exposure their regional circulation and oxygen balance of the gingival mucosa were measured and electrocardiography and kinetocardiography were performed to calculate parameters of the left heart function. The study showed a distinct correlation between LBNP tolerance and the level of compensatory reactions of the gingival mucosa blood flow and the cardiovascular system as a whole. The subjects with a high LBNP tolerance showed well pronounced regional compensatory reactions of the gingival mucosa that were not accompanied by significant changes in the left heart function. The subjects with a moderate tolerance exhibited either weak or no regional compensatory reactions of the gingival mucosa and significant changes in the left heart function.