Subcutaneous adipose tissue metabolism and pharmacology: a new investigative technique.

According to the Fick principle, any metabolic or hormonal exchange through a given tissue depends on the product of blood flow by arteriovenous difference. Because adipose tissue plays dual storage and endocrine roles, regulation of adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) is of pivotal importance. Monitoring ATBF in humans can be achieved through different methodologies, such as the (133)Xe washout technique, considered to be the "gold standard", as well as microdialysis and other methods that are not well validated as of yet. This report describes a new method, called "adipose tissue microinfusion" or "ATM", which simultaneously quantifies ATBF by combining the (133)Xe washout technique together with variations of ATBF induced by local infusion of vasoactive agents. The most appropriate site for ATM investigation is the subcutaneous adipose tissue of the anterior abdominal wall. This innovative method conveniently enables the direct comparison of the effects on ATBF of any vasoactive compound, drug, or hormone against a contralateral saline control. The ATM method improves the accuracy and feasibility of physiological and pharmacological studies on the regulation of ATBF in vivo in humans.