Skin microcirculation

Skin microcirculation is the organized network of arterioles, capillaries, and venules within the skin that facilitates essential physiological processes. Its primary role is thermoregulation, achieved by modulating blood flow to dissipate or conserve heat, and providing nutritional support to the epidermis and dermis (Charkoudian, 2003, PMID: 12736180). In clinical medicine, skin microcirculation is often viewed as a mirror of systemic vascular function; its impairment is observed in diseases like diabetes mellitus, systemic sclerosis, and Raynaud's phenomenon (Roustit & Cracowski, 2013, PMID: 23628605). Therapeutic strategies targeting this system involve the use of vasodilators, such as calcium channel blockers and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, to improve tissue perfusion and prevent ischemic complications (Herrick, 2012, PMID: 22302054). Although it is a physiological system rather than a single protein target, it serves as a vital endpoint for assessing drug efficacy in vascular and metabolic research.

Other names

Cutaneous microcirculationSkin blood flowDermal microvasculatureCutaneous microvasculature

Drugs modulate skin microcirculation primarily through vasodilation via the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway (e.g., PDE5 inhibitors, nitrates), antagonism of endothelin receptors (e.g., bosentan), or activation of prostacyclin receptors (e.g., iloprost) to increase blood flow and reduce vascular resistance (Herrick, 2012, PMID: 22302054).