Lymphodynamics and adrenergic innervation of the kidney and renal lymph nodes in toxic hepatitis

Abstract

Introduction . The lymphatic system maintains a steady state of organism and plays crucial role in a volume regulation of fluid surrounding the organs. The researching goal is to study the fluid redistribution process and to reveal adrenoceptive renal innervation of its lymphatic nodes in toxic hepatitis. Materials and methods . We studied the rat kidneys and their renal lymphatic nodes. The lymph flow of renal nodes and its adrenergic innervation were evaluated. Results . Rats with toxic hepatitis showed the decreasig fluorescence of adrenergic nerves and absence of the single neurons in kidney tissue and pelvis. Nerves in the renal parenchyma adjacent to the lymphatic nodes had a weak fluorescence. The average decreasing of lymph flow, volume of blood plasm and diuresis was 35, 21 and 60 %, correspondently. The disturbance of fluid redistribution, whole protein and electrolytes were observed. Conclusions . Toxic hepatitis leads to the destruction of adrenergic innervation in the tissues and blood vessels of the kidneys and renal lymph nodes, the disappearance of small terminals of nerves and part of varicose thickenings, the depots of catecholamines. This causes the diffusion of catecholamines into the surrounding tissues, suppressing the efferent signaling of nervous processes. The rats with hepatitis have had an impaired water-salt homeostasis resulted in a decreasing volume of plasma, circulating blood and lymph flow. The lymphatic system in hepatitis promotes the uptake of potassium and calcium ions released from the bloodstream, preventing them from being excreted in the urine.