Sex features of cutaneous microvasculature in healthy workingage people [Гендерные особенности микроциркуляторного русла кожи у здоровых лиц трудоспособного возраста]

Aim. To study sex characteristics of cutaneous microvascular structure and function in a cohort of healthy workingage people without cardiovascular diseases. Material and methods. The study included 35 healthy men (42±4 years) and 34 women (41±5 years). The cardiovascular system was assessed in all patients. The microcirculatory bed of the skin was investigated by the following noninvasive methods: 1) computerized video capillaroscopy; 2) laser Doppler flowmetry; 3) photoplethysmography. Results. According to computerized video capillaroscopy in men, compared with women, there was a smaller number of both functioning capillaries (78 vs 86 capillaries/mm2, respectively (p<0,05)) and their total number (100 vs 120 capillaries/mm2, respectively (p<0,001)). Against the background of a decrease in capillary density in men, there was a higher skin interstitial hydration ' 113 vs 96 μm (p<0,005) in men than in women. At the level of precapillary arterioles, where humoral tone regulation prevails. Laser Doppler flowmetry revealed lower pulse amplitude in men than in women ' 0,87 vs 1,02 pf, respectively (p<0,05), which indicates a lower arterial blood inflow to exchange microvessels. Against this background, the constrictor response of precapillary arterioles to a sympathetic nervous system stimulation in men is higher than in women ' 45% vs 40%, respectively (p<0,05). At the level of large arterioles, where neural tone regulation prevails, photoplethysmography revealed lower augmentation index standardized at a heart rate in men (4,6 vs 1,7%, respectively, p<0,05), which indicates lower rigidity of muscular vessels in men. Conclusion. In workingage healthy people, sex differences are noted at all cutaneous microvascular levels, which must be taken into account when planning studies. © 2022 Vserossiiskoe Obshchestvo Kardiologov. All rights reserved.