Insufficient flow reduction during LBNP in both splanchnic and lower limb areas is associated with orthostatic intolerance after bedrest

1 Unité Medecine Physiologie Spatiale, Universite Hopital Trousseau, Tours, France; 2 Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo; and 3 School of Kinesiology and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada Submitted 14 May 2008 ; accepted in final form 20 August 2008 We quantified the impact of a 60-day head-down tilt bed rest (HDBR) with countermeasures on the arterial response to supine lower body negative pressure (LBNP). Twenty-four women [8 control (Con), 8 exercise + LBNP (Ex-LBNP), and 8 nutrition (Nut) subjects] were studied during LBNP (0 to –45 mmHg) before (pre) and on HDBR day 55 (HDBR-55). Left ventricle diastolic volume (LVDV) and mass, flow velocities in the middle cerebral artery (MCA flow) and femoral artery (femoral flow), portal vein cross-sectional area (portal flow), and lower limb resistance (femoral resistance index) were measured. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was measured in the fibular nerve. Subjects were identified as finishers or nonfinishers of the 10-min post-HDBR tilt test. At HDBR-55, LVDV, mass, and portal flow were decreased from pre-HDBR ( P < 0.05) in the Con and Nut groups only. During LBNP at HDBR-55, femoral and portal flow decreased less, whereas leg MSNA increased similarly, compared with pre-HDBR in the Con, Nut, and NF groups; 11 of 13 nonfinishers showed smaller LBNP-induced reductions in both femoral and portal flow (less vasoconstriction), whereas 10 of 11 finishers maintained vasoconstriction in either one or both regions. The relative distribution of blood flow in the cerebral versus portal and femoral beds during LBNP [MCA flow/(femoral + portal flow)] increased or reduced 15% from pre-HDBR in 11 of 13 nonfinishers. Abnormal vasoconstriction in both the portal and femoral vascular areas was associated with orthostatic intolerance. The vascular deconditioning was partially prevented by Ex-LBNP. femoral; portal; echography; Doppler; lower body negative pressure Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: P. Arbeille, Unité Medecine Physiologie Spatiale, Universite Hopital Trousseau, Tours 37044, France (e-mail: arbeille{at}med.univ-tours.fr )