Insulin-induced vasodilation regulates muscle perfusion and increases the microvascular surface area (microvascular recruitment) available for solute exchange between blood and tissue interstitium. Combined intravital microscopy and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is presented to simultaneously assess insulin's action at the larger vessels and the microcirculation in vivo.
Turaihi, A. H., van Poelgeest, E. M., van Hinsbergh, V. W. M., Serné, E. H., Smulders, Y. M., Eringa, E. C. Combined Intravital Microscopy and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography of the Mouse Hindlimb to Study Insulin-induced Vasodilation and Muscle Perfusion. J. Vis. Exp. (121), e54912, doi:10.3791/54912 (2017).