Analysis of Oxygen Exchange Between Arterioles and Surrounding Capillary-Perfused Tissue

A theoretical model is used to analyze oxygen transport in a three-dimensional tissue region containing an arteriole surrounded by an array of capillaries in planes perpendicular to the arteriole. Convective removal of oxygen from the vicinity of the arteriole by nearby capillaries is shown to increase diffusive oxygen loss from the arteriole. This effect depends on the locations of the capillaries, particularly those nearest to the arteriole. The arteriolar oxygen efflux is comparable to that predicted by a previous model which used a continuum approach, but the efflux does not increase with increasing perfusion as rapidly as predicted by the continuum model. Even a small capillary flow rate strongly influences the oxygen field surrounding the arteriole.