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

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ikomi, Fumitaka | Ohhashi, Toshio

Affiliations: The 1st Department of Physiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3‐1‐1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390‐8621, Japan

Note: [] Corresponding author. Fax: +81 263 36 5149; E‐mail: fikomi@sch.md.shinshu‐u.ac.jp.

Abstract: The intraluminal lymphatic pressure in rabbit lumbar lymphatic trunks was determined. To estimate the lymphatic pressure, graphical analysis was performed from lymph outflow pressure–flow rate relationship and lymph infusion pressure–flow rate relationship. A direct measurement technique with a T‐tube was also carried out to measure the pressure in the lumbar lymphatic. The rabbit leg was passively rotated at 0.3 Hz in the diameter of 8 cm to enhance the lymphatic pump activity of the leg. The estimated pressure and measured pressure in the lymphatics were 6.50 and 7.14±2.38 cmH2O, respectively. 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.

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 23, no. 2,3,4, pp. 329-333, 2000