1. ¹Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
2. ²Research Fellow, Danish Medical Research Council, Denmark

Received 29 November 1983; Accepted 15 March 1984.

Abstract

The cutaneous microcirculation is a desirable model for pharmacologic and physiologic studies of inflammatory mediators. For exact measurements of the induced blood flow changes, two objective methods are introduced. The laser-Doppler flowmeter and the ¹³³Xe wash- out technique have formerly been used for measurement of the undisturbed cutaneous blood flow. We have modified these methods to measure changes in the blood flow following intracutaneous deposition of a vasodilator, leukotriene D₄. When compared with a metric estimate of the erythemal response, the two new methods were found to be more sensitive than the traditional estimate of cutaneous blood flow changes. Both methods exhibited a good sensitivity and reproducibility when applied simultaneously, although the ¹³³Xe washout technique appeared to be able to separate interindividual differences that could not be recognized by the laser-Doppler technique. Even though the laser- Doppler technique is superior in simplicity of use, the ¹³³Xe washout technique is recommended for exact measurements.