The impact of chronic smoking on rectal mucosal blood flow.
BACKGROUND
Chronic smoking adversely affects peripheral vasculature. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of chronic cigarette smoking on rectal microvascular blood flow.


METHODS
Rectal mucosal blood flow (MBF) was measured in 80 subjects (44 smokers and 36 non-smokers). The MBF was measured in the four quadrants of the rectum by laser Doppler flowmetry.


RESULTS
Rectal perfusion was found to be significantly lower in posterior midline compared to the other sites. In chronic smokers the observed MBF measured at the posterior and ventral sites was significantly lower compared to non-smokers (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that rectal mucosal blood flow is reduced in chronic smokers.
De Bruin
A F J
AF
Division of Colon and Rectal surgery, Department of Surgery, Maasstad Ziekenhuis, Brede Hilledijk 315, 3075 EA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. anton_de_bruin@hotmail.com
Schouten
S B
SB
de Kort
P P S
PP
Gosselink
M P
MP
van der Harst
E
E
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply*; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D012007:Rectum / Q000098:blood supply*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology*