Contribution of sensory nerves to cutaneous reactive hyperaemia in non‐Hispanic Black and White young adults

New Findings What is the central question of this study? Does cutaneous sensory nerve‐mediated vasodilatation differ between non‐Hispanic Black and White young adults? What is the main finding and its importance? The magnitude of cutaneous reactive hyperaemia is lower in non‐Hispanic Black relative to non‐Hispanic White young adults, but the overall sensory nerve contribution is the same, suggesting that sensory nerve function is similar in both non‐Hispanic Black and White young adults. The aim of this study was to assess cutaneous sensory nerve function, independent of nitric oxide, in non‐Hispanic Black and White young adults. We tested the hypothesis that cutaneous reactive hyperaemia and sensory nerve‐mediated vasodilatation would be lower in non‐Hispanic Black young adults relative to non‐Hispanic White young adults. Twenty‐four participants who self‐identified as non‐Hispanic Black (n = 12) or non‐Hispanic White (n = 12) were recruited. All participants underwent three bouts of reactive hyperaemia. An index of skin blood flow was measured continuously using laser‐Doppler flowmetry at a control site and at a site treated with topical 4% lignocaine to inhibit sensory nerve function. Peak reactive hyperaemia was lower in non‐Hispanic Black relative to non‐Hispanic White participants (P