Assessing cutaneous microvascular function with iontophoresis: Avoiding non-specific vasodilation

Abstract

Aim Iontophoresis of vasoactive agents is commonly used to assess cutaneous microvascular reactivity. However, it is known that iontophoresis can be limited by confounding non-specific vasodilatory effects. Despite this, there is still no standardization of protocols or data expression. Therefore, this study evaluated commonly used protocols of iontophoresis by assessing each for evidence of non-specific vasodilatory effects and examined the reproducibility of those protocols that are free of non-specific responses. Methods Twelve healthy participants were administered doses of acetylcholine (ACh) 1–2% and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) 1%, diluted in sodium chloride 0.9% or deionized water, and..