Changes in masseter muscle blood flow during voluntary isometric contraction in humans

The effect of jaw clenching on local blood flow in the masseter muscle was measured using the hydrogen clearance method in 13 healthy subjects. Sustained isometric masseter-muscle contraction levels of 25 and 50% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) were investigated. The blood flow at 25% MVC before contraction, during contraction and after contraction was 12.3 +/- 10.9, 19.2 +/- 12.1 and 78.8 +/- 63.9 mL min(-1) (100 g)(-1) (mean +/- s.d.), respectively. At 50% MVC, it was 14.2 +/- 12.9, 18.6 +/- 10.0 and 80.1 +/- 61.8, respectively. The volume of blood flow was significantly greater after contraction as compared with before contraction at both levels (P < 0.0001) and there was no significant difference between before and during contraction periods (P = 0.17: 25% MVC; P = 0.38: 50% MVC). At 50% MVC blood flow before contraction and the difference in blood flow before and during contraction showed significant negative correlation (r = -0.636, P < 0.02). When the volume of blood flow was low before contraction it tended to increase during contraction and decreased when it was high before contraction. These findings indicate that blood flow in the masseter muscle during sustained isometric contraction is affected by the condition of contraction and may be influenced by the muscle region. It was also indicated that the blood flow during high level contraction was influenced by the volume of blood flow before contraction. Clinically, our findings may help to understand pathological changes which may lead to chronic masticatory muscle pain.