Articles

THE EFFECT OF PASSIVE MOTION ON THE FLOW AND FORMATION OF LYMPH

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Abstract

The effect of different rates of passive movement on the flow and composition of paw lymph was studied in anesthetized dogs. Lymph flow was halved by decreasing the frequency of paw pumping from 100 cpm to 10 cpm. The lymph: plasma concentration ratio of total protein (R_TP) was not affected initially by the decrease in pumping rate. With continued pumping at 10 cpm, average lymph flow increased toward control (100 cpm) levels and R_TP decreased. Resumption of pumping at 100 cpm, significantly increased lymph flow but did not change R_TP. Lymph flow then declined toward control flows as R_TP rose toward the values observed at 100 cpm. Steady state lymph flows during initial 100 cpm pumping, during 10 cpm and during the resumption of 100 cpm pumping were not significantly different. When paw pumping was stopped, average lymph flow decreased quickly and remained at a very low value for at least 90 minutes. Resumption of paw pumping increased lymph flow above initial control values but did not affect R_TP.

We conclude that widely differing rates of passive paw movement give similar steady-state lymph flows from isolated paw lymphatics of anesthetized dogs. The interstitial space of the paw apparently acts as a volume buffer which stores lymph during transient periods of low lymph removal and empties during high rates of lymph removal.

How to Cite:

Gnepp, D. & Sloop, C., (1978) “THE EFFECT OF PASSIVE MOTION ON THE FLOW AND FORMATION OF LYMPH”, Lymphology 11(1), 32-36.