A computational model of the effect of capillary density variability on oxygen transport, glucose uptake, and insulin sensitivity in prediabetes

Abstract

Our simulations predict that CD decreases can have a substantial effect on oxygen delivery and glucose disposal across the observed physiological ranges of capillarization.

Methods to label, image, and analyze the complex structural architectures of microvascular networks

“…Capillary architecture possesses markedly different structures to meet the unique metabolic demands of peripheral tissues, including the radial spoke‐wheel structure of the retina, parallel beds of skeletal muscle, or dense networks of the liver (Figure A‐F). Even within a single tissue such as the retina, there is impressive heterogeneity in microvascular architecture between tissue locations (Figure G‐I).…”

A Mesoscale Computational Model for Microvascular Oxygen Transfer

“…Such effects are considered among the most important in this context [44]. Our model also embraces the Zweifach-Fung effect [49,52,56], the influence of microvascular network geometry on the microvascular flow [48], and the effect of the pH and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide on hemoglobin saturation, which are often considered when modeling oxygen transport [5,13,28,33,62].…”

Aerobic‐interval exercise with blood flow restriction potentiates early markers of metabolic health in man

“…In addition to the prevention of excess cholesterol formation, glucose uptake by skeletal muscle (both insulin‐ and contraction‐stimulated) is also independently improved by an increase in the content of GLUT4, 22 which is tightly controlled at the mRNA level 23 . Furthermore, increasing the blood perfusion of skeletal muscle, for example through an expansion of the capillary network and thereby the surface area for glucose transport, promotes glucose uptake by skeletal muscle 24 . The formation of new capillaries (angiogenesis) is partly controlled by the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), the content of which is closely linked with changes in its mRNA 25,26 and is stimulated by a hypoxic muscular environment 26 .…”

“…23 Furthermore, increasing the blood perfusion of skeletal muscle, for example through an expansion of the capillary network and thereby the surface area for glucose transport, promotes glucose uptake by skeletal muscle. 24 The formation of new capillaries (angiogenesis) is partly controlled by the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), the content of which is closely linked with changes in its mRNA 25,26 and is stimulated by a hypoxic muscular environment. 26 Consistent with the latter finding, hypoxia stimulates the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), which is a master regulator of hypoxia-induced angiogenesis.…”