Hemoglobin diffusion across a venous wall - An experimental study

The aim of this study was to investigate the permeation behavior of a large molecule through a venous wall; hemoglobin was chosen as a model substance . In vitro experiments were performed using a Chien-Valia diffusion chamber . Postmortem, hemolyzed, and fresh nonhemolyzed blood samples were investig ated as permeants. Vein patches from vena cava inferior and vena jugularis interna were used as diffusion barriers. Applying this technique, extravasa tion of hemoglobin was detectable. The portion of hemoglobin molecules pass ing through the vascular wall depended on time, vein type, and graduation o f hemolysis. The passage of hemoglobin across the wall of a large vein sugg ests intravascular changes in drug concentrations from postmortem blood sam ples not to be restricted on the unbound portion of the particular drug.