DIURNAL AND LONG-TERM VARIATIONS OF LYMPH CAPILLARY-PRESSURE IN HEALTHY-SUBJECTS

The variability of pressure in the cutaneous lymph capillaries on the forefoot was determined in 2 groups of healthy volunteers. In group A, including 12 healthy subjects (8 men, 4 women; mean age 28 years, ran ge 22 to 37 years), measurements were performed in the morning and lat e afternoon of the same day. In group B (12 healthy subjects, 5 women, 7 men; mean age 53 years, range 23 to 72 years), measurements of lymp h capillary pressure were repeated with an interval of 7 weeks. The su perficial micro-lymphatics were visualized by intravital fluorescence microlymphography, cannulated with glass micropipettes, and the lymph capillary pressure was measured using a servo-nulling pressure system. In group A, lymph capillary pressure measured in the morning(mean 7.5 +/- 4.4 mmHg; range -4 to 16 mmHg) did not differ (p>0.05) from the p ressure in the late afternoon (mean value 5.6 +/- 3.4 mmHg; range -1 t o 13 mmHg). In group B, initial lymph capillary pressure (mean 3.9 +/- 2.9 mmHg, range -1.1 to 9.7 mmHg) was not different (p>0.05) compared with the pressure after 7 weeks (2.9 +/- 2.7 mmHg, range -1.0 to 6.8 mmHg). We conclude that lymph capillary pressure in healthy subjects d oes not exhibit significant changes during the daytime or over the lon g term.