EFFECT OF INCREASED INTERSTITIAL FLUID FLUX ON FRACTIONAL CATABOLIC RATE OF HIGH-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT [H-3] HYALURONAN INJECTED IN RABBIT SKIN

The removal rate oi high molecular weight (M(r) 3 x 10(6)) [H-3]hyalur onan has been measured in rabbit paw skin in control and during increa sed local venous pressure induced by ligation of the femoral vein. The increased venous pressure resulted in a 20% increase of interstitial volume at 4 h after ligation. a value which relates to at least a doub ling of lymph flow. i.e. also to doubling of fluid flux through the ti ssues. The fractional catabolic rate oi hyaluronan was 0.0918+/-0.0170 h(-1) (n = 10) and 0.0775+/-0.0208 h(-1) (n = 11) in control and foll owing increased venous pressure respectively (P > 0.05). Since the fra ctional catabolic rate of hyaluronan is not affected by increased veno us pressure, the removal oi hyaluronan via lymphatic drainage in rabbi t paw skin must be small compared to the local turnover oi the polysac charide.