Effects of leg rotation on lymph flow and pressure in rabbit lumbar lymph circulation: in vivo experiments and graphical analysis

The intraluminal lymphatic pressure in rabbit lumbar lymphatic trunks was d etermined. To estimate the lymphatic pressure, graphical analysis was perfo rmed from lymph outflow pressure-flow rate relationship and lymph infusion pressure-flow rate relationship. A direct measurement technique with a T-tu be was also carried out to measure the pressure in the lumbar lymphatic. Th e rabbit leg was passively rotated at 0.3 Hz in the diameter of 8 cm to enh ance the lymphatic pump activity of the leg. The estimated pressure and mea sured pressure in the lymphatics were 6.50 and 7.14 +/- 2.38 cmH(2)O, respe ctively. It was confirmed that similar values could be obtained from these two methods. The lymphatic pumping in the leg may affect a distribution of pressure in the lumbar lymphatic system.