AUTOMATED NONINVASIVE EVALUATION OF BLOOD FLOW AND OXYGENATION IN RATS INTEGRATED WITH SYSTEMIC PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING

Background Many studies evaluating blood flow and oxygen partial pressure (PO2) do not directly measure both parameters, are confined to few locations/microvessels, and depend on investigator’s selection of measuring sites. Moreover, clinically/physiologically-relevant systemic parameters are not simultaneously recorded. We implemented an automated system for prolonged blood flow/PO2 acquisition in large areas while collecting relevant systemic information. Methods In anesthetized animals, cardio-respiratory parameters were continuously recorded. Other data were collected at baseline and hourly after 4h of hemorrhagic shock. A cremaster muscle was spread over a pedestal fixed to a motorized stage. One two-dimensional tissue scan allowed sixteen noninvasive PO2 measurements using oxygen-dependent phosphorescence quenching and fiber-optics. Blood flow was estimated employing laser speckle contrast imaging in the same areas used for PO2 measurements. At each time-point, blood was sampled for extensive biochemistry/coagulation profile. Results The system was used successfully by different operators. A set of flow/PO2 measurements was completed in

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