Measurement of local skeletal muscle blood flow in animals by the hydrogen electrode technique.

The hydrogen (H2) electrode technique has been applied to the measurement of local skeletal muscle blood flow (LSMBF) in experimental animals (rats, rabbits, and monkeys). LSMBF was measured during resting and postexercise states, following epinephrine injections and during CO2 inhalation. Among the limited sites studied and/or measurements obtained, significant differences in LSMBF were found in only a few instances. During hypercapnia, LSMBF was found to be increased in some muscles in rats and monkeys. The present study demonstrates that the H2 electrode technique is a simple and reliable method for measuring resting and postexercise LSMBF in anesthetized animals. This method provides measurements at discrete loci, is easily reproducible, and causes little trauma.