Simulation of oxygen transport to skeletal muscle by microvascular networks

The delivery of oxygen to tissue by realistic configurations of microvessels, including arterioles and capillaries is simulated, and the dependence of the decline in arteriolar P_O(2) on the oxygen demand of the tissue and on the blood flow rate is predicted. Simulations are performed for a cuboidal region of tissue containing a number of vessel segments, neglecting diffusive oxygen flux across tissue boundaries. The distribution of oxygen fluxes from the vessels is computed using a Green's function method. Simulation results show that the classical view of oxygen diffusion is far from accurate. Diffusive oxygen loss from arterioles is generally substantial. The decline in arteriolar P_O(2) is of sufficient magnitude to provide a potential signal for metabolic regulation of blood flow.