AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 251, Issue 3 321-G325, Copyright © 1986 by American Physiological Society
Lymph pressure in rat intestinal lymph duct with lymphatic obstruction
J. S. Lee
Lymph pressure (PL) in the main intestinal lymph duct with obstruction of
lymph flow was determined. Under various conditions, the rate of lymph flow
(JL) was essentially the same in either A rats (with communications between
hepatic and intestinal lymphatics) or B rats (without such communications),
but PL of A rats was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than that of B
rats. When the intestine was in the basal state, JL of A and B rats was
0.2-0.3 ml/h per rat, and PL was 1.5 +/- 0.2 and 3.3 +/- 0.2 mm/Hg,
respectively. During fluid absorption, JL of A and B rats increased to
0.8-0.9 ml/h, and PL was 2.1 +/- 0.4 and 6.4 +/- 0.7 mmHg, respectively.
During intravenous saline infusion, JL of A and B rats increased greatly to
approximately 14 ml/h, and PL was 3.1 +/- 0.3 and 10.4 +/- 1.1 mmHg,
respectively. The lower PL in A rats is apparently due to the possibility
that during lymphatic obstruction most lymph could be drained off by the
hepatic lymphatics. In A rats, luminal distension pressure had no effect on
PL but in B rats PL decreased when distension pressure was 20 mmHg or
higher. Furthermore, lymph pressure waves indicate the occurrence of
rhythmical contractions of the lymph duct or its surrounding tissues, which
may play a role in the propulsion of lymph.
