Measurement and Manipulation of Human Adipose Tissue Blood Flow Using Xenon Washout Technique and Adipose Tissue Microinfusion

Adipose tissue (AT) is a very active organ, both metabolically and hormonally. These important functions depend on adequate blood flow (BF). Metabolic, hormonal, and vascular processes within AT are highly interconnected and any disruption will invariably impact the others. Therefore, any alteration of ATBF with obesity and/or insulin resistance will impact metabolic and hormonal AT functions. Similarly, metabolic or hormonal changes in AT will lead to ATBF disturbance. Thus, it is plausible that insufficient ATBF alters AT metabolic processes and response to regulatory signals, and may even aggravate the negative impacts of dysfunction in AT. The role of BF in AT metabolism can be evaluated by several techniques, but the xenon washout method is considered the "gold" standard. This technique can be combined with local microinfusion protocols, and the combination allows for precise assessment of mechanisms implicated in ATBF regulation.