title: Terminal arteriolar network structure/function and plasma cytokine levels in db/db and ob/ob mouse skeletal muscle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the terminal arteriolar network structure and function in relation to circulating plasma cytokine levels in db/db, ob/ob, and their genetic background control, C57/bl6, mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Arteriolar network size and erythrocyte distribution were observed in the resting cremaster muscle (n = 45, pentobarbital 50 mg/kg i.p.). Structural remodeling and inflammatory state were related to 21 plasma cytokine levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  db/db networks were shorter, had fewer branches, and smaller diameters than C57/bl6 controls. ob/ob networks were longer, with similar branch numbers, however with non-uniform diameters. Shunting of erythrocytes to the specific terminal arteriolar branches of the network (functional rarefaction) was prominent in db/db and ob/ob, with further evidence of shunting between networks seen as no flow to 50% of ob/ob arteriolar networks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Altered levels of plasma cytokines are consistent with structural remodeling seen in db/db, and a pro-inflammatory state for both db/db and ob/ob. Differences in network structure alone predict overall reduced uniform oxygen delivery in db/db or ob/ob. Shunting probably increases heterogeneous oxygen delivery and is strain-dependent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5281, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Georgi
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vigilance
authors.forename: Anthony M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dewar
authors.forename: Mary D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Frame
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001160:Arterioles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D004912:Erythrocytes; D007249:Inflammation; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D008820:Mice, Obese; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D010100:Oxygen