Heat transfer analysis of blood perfusion in diabetic rats using a genetic algorithm

• Published in: Microvascular research 2020-09, Vol.131, p.104013-104013, Article 104013
• Main Authors: Wang, Yueping, Mu, Lizhong, He, Ying, Tang, Yuanliang, Liu, Chao, Lu, Yunxia, Xu, Lisheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood perfusion; Diabetic rat model; Genetic algorithm; Heat transport model; Skin temperature
• ISSN: 0026-2862; 1095-9319
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2020.104013

Diabetes is frequently associated with structural and functional impairment of the microcirculation. Blood perfusion is an important indicator of both physiological and pathological conditions of the microcirculation. Given that temperature is closely related to blood perfusion and is more easily measured, blood perfusion can be estimated from variations in skin temperature using an inverse method. The aim of this paper was to develop a thermal analysis method for estimation of blood perfusion and apply it in the assessment of skin blood perfusion in diabetic rats. First, diabetes was induced in the rat models of the experimental group. Skin temperature from the rats left hind paws was measured during a 10-min local heating period followed by a 15-min cooling period. A simple one-dimensional heat transfer model, including an arteriolar vessel node, was used to describe the skin heat transfer process. The blood perfusion of the arteriole was estimated by correlating the calculated skin temperature with known experimental temperatures using a genetic algorithm. The results indicated that the average blood perfusion in the control group was higher during local heating and decreased faster during the cooling period, showing dynamic responses to the thermal stimuli. In contrast, the blood perfusion of diabetic rats was reduced compared with that of the control rats during the heating phase and the rate of decrease in perfusion during the cooling stage was similarly reduced, implying a slower response to thermal stimulation in these rats. It is interesting to note that diabetic rats fed a normal diet showed a similar blood perfusion pattern to that in the control rats, implying that diet may be important in the treatment of diabetes-associated microvascular dysfunction. •The variations of the skin blood perfusion rates during and after heating were estimated using a genetic algorithm.•The blood perfusion rates of normal rats are considerably large during heating and they decrease promptly after power off.•The blood perfusion rates of some diabetic rats in the heating stage are significantly lower than those of normal rats.•The ratio of power-off-phase to power-on-phase blood perfusion rates of some diabetic rats is higher.