Abstract
Actual changes in tissue partial pressures of each gas and tissue perfusion with serial artificial CO2 bathing were evaluated by means of medical mass spectrometry using 5 rabbits.
An artificial CO2 bath was prepared by adding “BUB”-KAO, a 50g sodium hydrogencarbonate and succinic acid tablet producing fine CO2 bubbles in water of constant temperature 20-litre tub at 36-37°C.
Regional tissue perfusion volume was determined on the basis of a clearance curve for Argon tissue partial pressure which was monitored by an on-line computer system with mass spectrometry.
Increase in subcutaneous tissue PCO2 changed from 27% to 10%, and in PO2 from 12% to 5% on average by serial bathing every day for 4 weeks, on the other hand tissue perfusion volume was increased in 3 out of 5 cases; from 20.85±3.56 (X±SE) ml/100g/min, SD=6.71, p<0.05 to 25.23±8.00 (X±SE) ml/100g/min, SD=6.96, p<0.05.
CO2 has been shown to be locally absorbed through the skin resulting in the elevation of subcutaneous tissue CO2 partial pessure which decreases depending on the tissue perfusion irrespective of metabolic processes. It is, therefore, assumed that the elimination of absorbed constituents by serial bathings is not caused by a decrease in the percutaneous absorption rate but an increase in washing out rate by the improved tissue perfusion.
