Aim/Introduction: We used visible lightguide and near infrared spectrophotometry to investigate muscle (MSO2) and skin (SSO2) oxygen saturation in normal volunteers in order to define normal values prior to a clinical study.
Methods: Age, BMI and triceps skinfold thickness were recorded in 32 female and 18 male volunteers aged 39 +/-11 years (mean+/-standard deviation). There were no significant differences in these variables between the two groups apart from skinfold thickness was higher in females. SSO2 and MSO2 were measured on the upper arm and abdomen.
Results: Arm SSO2 showed no difference at 95% C.I. (p=0.86) between female (47.7 +/- 9.2) and male (47.2 +/-9.3), however abdomen SSO2 was significantly higher in males (37.6 +/- 7.8, 95% CI, estimated difference=5.5, p=0.02) than females (32.1 +/- 7.9), as was arm MSO2 (males 59.3 +/- 19.3, females 33.5 +/- 20.0; estimated difference= 25.7, p<0.001). Abdomen MSO2 (males 53.0 +/- 19.8, females 43.7 +/- 18.1; estimated difference =9.3, p=0.1) was not significantly different. There was a positive correlation (r) of 0.72 (p<0.001) between arm and abdomen MSO2 readings, but there was no correlation between arm and abdomen SSO2 readings. There was no correlation between MSO2 and SSO2 in either location. No readings correlated with age. MSO2 had a slight negative dependence on triceps thickness but this was only significant (p<.01) in the arm.
Discussion: SSO2 and MSO2 are not related to each other; MSO2 readings in the arm and abdomen are closely related. Males have higher SO2 readings in arm MSO2 and abdomen SSO2 could this be due to the difference in skinfold thickness?
Ives CL, Harrison DK, Stansby G. Relationships between muscle SO2, Skin SO2 and physiological variables. Adv Exp Med Biol: 578: 29-33.
Dr. David K. Harrison, Durham Unit, Durham. Tel: +44 (0)191-333-2215.
Regional Medical Physics Department, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK.
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