Articles

THE PERMEABILITY OF THE PLASMA-LYMPH BARRIER OF THE SMALL INTESTINE OF VARIOUS SPECIES TO MACROMOLECULES

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Abstract

The filtration coefficients of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) of molecular weight 10,000-110,000 were measured at the plasma-lymph barrier of the upper small intestine of rabbits, rats and cats. For this purpose the animals were given intravenous injec­tions or infusions of PVP in such a way as to pro­duce a constant blood level; PVP concentrations were measured in lymph obtained by cannulating the mesenteric duct and also in the plasma. In these species low molecular weight PVP had a filtration coefficient of 0.85-0.64, while high molecular weight PVP (MW 110,000) either had a very low filtration coefficient - 0.22 - or was not detectable in the intestinal lymph. The three species, represent­ing herbivores, omnivores and carnivores, showed no differences in the penetration behavior of PVP, i.e., in the permeability of the plasma-lymph barrier to macromolecules.

How to Cite:

Vogel, G. & Martensen, L., (1982) “THE PERMEABILITY OF THE PLASMA-LYMPH BARRIER OF THE SMALL INTESTINE OF VARIOUS SPECIES TO MACROMOLECULES”, Lymphology 15(1), 36-39.