BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF STATIC MAGNETIC-FIELDS ON THE MICROCIRCULATORY BLOOD-FLOW IN-VIVO - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

There have been few studies of the effect of static magnetic fields on microcirculatory haemodynamics in vivo. The rat skinfold transparent chamber technique was used, which provides an excellent means of obser ving and quantifying direct in vivo microvascular haemodynamic respons es to static magnetic fields up to 8 T. An intravital videomicroscope was used to measure the changes in blood flow before and after exposur e to a magnetic field for 20 min in a horizontal type superconducting magnet with a bore 100 mm in diameter and 700 mm long. After exposure, microcirculatory blood flow showed an initial increase for about 5 mi n followed by a gradual decrease and a return to the control value. It is hypothesised that these changes represent rebound hyperaemia follo wing reduced blood flow during exposure.