Abstract
Lymph formation and progression in initial lymphatics is a complex, not completely unveiled process. To clarify it, we studied “in situ” the kinetics of lymph flow in the diaphragmatic submesothelial network of anesthetized, mechanical ventilated rats. In a single lymphatic vessel, intraluminar hydraulic pressure (Plymph) and lymph flow were measured by means of the micropuncture technique combined with the injection of fluorescent dextrans to visualise lymph flow. Measurements of fluorescent front progression and vessels diameter were performed on acquired images to calculate lymph flow (FL) and flow velocity (vL). Data show that FL, vL and flow direction vary considerably with time even in the same vessel (range: from 1 ± 0.3 (1 SE) nL/min to 154.9 ±10.4 nL/min). In addition, in some vessels, flow direction reverts at a frequency (about 11.3 ± 1.6 Hz) not related to the cardiac or respiratory rate. The fact that, in some network segments, flow direction was independent upon the intraluminar Plymph gradient, suggests the existence of an active pumping mechanism coordinating flow kinetics in these vessels.The research has been supported by the Italian Ministry of University (MIUR).
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