F. Ikomi et al., INTERSTITIAL FLUID, PLASMA-PROTEIN, COLLOID, AND LEUKOCYTE UPTAKE INTO INITIAL LYMPHATICS, Journal of applied physiology, 81(5), 1996, pp. 2060-2067
Lymphatics serve to remove from the interstitium a range of materials,
including plasma proteins, colloid materials, and cells. Lymph flow r
ates can be enhanced by periodic tissue compression or venous pressure
elevation, but little is known to what degree enhancement of lymph fl
ow affects material transport. The objective was to examine the uptake
of plasma proteins, a colloidal perflubron emulsion (LA-11063, mean p
article diameter = 0.34 mu m) and leukocytes into lymphatics. Prenodal
collecting lymphatics in the lower hindlimb of rabbits were cannulate
d with and without foot massage and after elevation of venous pressure
(40 mmHg). The average lymph flow rates were elevated similar to 22-f
old by the skin massage but only about threefold by venous pressure el
evation. Lymph-to-plasma protein concentration ratio remained unchange
d by the massage but decreased significantly after venous pressure ele
vation, Lymph colloid concentration and leukocyte counts were elevated
on average 47 and 8.5 times, respectively, by foot massage, but both
decreased after venous pressure elevation. These results suggest that
skin movement by massage and elevation of the venous pressure lead to
opposite lymph transport kinetics of protein, colloids, and cells. Mas
sage is more effective to enhance material transport out of the inters
titium into the initial lymphatics.