Ileal microvascular permeability: a comparison of PS and sigma d using lymphatic and isotopic protein clearances.

Abstract

Lymphatic clearances of total protein, albumin, immunoglobulin (Ig) G, and IgM obtained in autoperfused cat ileum as venous pressure (Pv) was elevated were analyzed using traditional methods as well as the newer maximal diffusion (max,diff) method of Reed et al. [Am. J. Physiol. 261 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 30): H728-H740, 1991; Am. J. Physiol. 257 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 26): H1037-H1041, 1989] to determine capillary osmotic reflection coefficients (sigma d) and unique permeability surface area products (PS). In a control group (n = 6), sigma d max,diff and PSmax,diff for albumin, IgG, and IgM could not be determined due to their transiently high clearance patterns. These patterns were not altered by treatment with vasodilators (n = 6) to prevent redistribution of blood flow from the mucosal-submucosal to muscularis layer of the ileum, which accompanies elevation of ileal Pv. Furthermore, sigma d values for IgG in both groups were lower than those for both albumin and IgM, a finding inconsistent with predictions based on pore theory, together suggesting that lymphatic protein clearances were influenced by washout of interstitial proteins, a conclusion supported by the decrease in tissue content of albumin and IgG after elevation of Pv. Clearances of radiolabeled albumin (n = 10) and IgG (n = 6), measured after an initial 2-h steady-state period at a constant Pv, were markedly reduced at low lymph flow compared with those obtained in the shorter term experiments. In an additional group (n = 5), albumin clearance peaked at 10 times baseline within 15 min after a step increase in Pv to 30 mmHg but fell to only 3 times baseline within 1 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)