Abdominal lymphatic pump treatment increases leukocyte count and flux in thoracic duct lymph (99.13)

Abstract

Abstract Studies suggest that lymphatic pump techniques (LPT) enhance immunity and resistance to infection, but direct evidence of this has not been documented. In this study, the immediate effects of LPT on thoracic duct lymph flow and leukocyte output was measured. Lymph flow was measured and lymph was collected at baseline and during LPT. The baseline leukocyte count was 4.8 ± 1.7 x 106 cells/ml, and LPT increased leukocytes to 11.8 ± 3.6 x 106cells/ml (P<0.05). While macrophages, neutrophils, total lymphocytes, T cells and B cell numbers were similarly increased during LPT, their relative percentage in lymph was unaltered by LPT; however, IgA antibody forming B cells increased from 5.8% at baseline to 17% during LPT. Furthermore, LPT enhanced lymph flow 4-fold. Leukocyte flux was computed from the product of lymph flow and cell count. LPT enhanced leukocyte flux from 8.2± 4.1 x 106total cells per min to 60 ± 25 x 106cells per min. In summary, LPT significantly increased both thoracic duct lymph flow and leukocyte count, so lymphatic leukocyte flux was markedly enhanced. In addition, our data suggests that LPT can act preferentially on mucosal tissues, revealing a source of these mobilized leukocytes. Enhanced mobilization and lymphatic transport of immune cells during abdominal compression is likely an important mechanism responsible for the increased immune responses of patients treated with LPT.