DIURNAL AND LONG-TERM VARIATIONS OF LYMPH CAPILLARY PRESSURE IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS

Abstract

The variability of pressure in the cutaneous lymph capillaries on the forefoot wasdetermined in 2 groups of healthy volunteers. In group A, including 12 healthy subjects (8 men, 4women; mean age 28 years, range 22 to 37 years), measurements were performed in the morningand late afternoon of the same day. In group B (12 healthy subjects, 5 women, 7 men; mean age53 years, range 23 to 72 years), measurements of lymph capillary pressure were repeated withan interval of 7 weeks. The superficial microlymphatics were visualized by intravital fluorescencemicrolymphography, cannulated with glass micropipettes, and the lymph capillary pressure wasmeasured using a servo-nulling pressure system.In group A, lymph capillary pressure measured in the morning (mean 7.5 ± 4.4 mmHg;range -4 to 16 mmHg) did not differ (p>0.05) from the pressure in the late afternoon (meanvalue 5.6 ± 3.4 mmHg; range -1 to 13 mmHg).In group B, initial lymph capillary pressure (mean 3.9 ± 2.9 mmHg, range -1.1 to 9.7mmHg) was not different (p>0.05) compared with the pressure after 7 weeks (2.9 ± 2.7 mmHg,range -1.0 to 6.8 mmHg).We conclude that lymph capillary pressure in healthy subjects does not exhibit significantchanges during the daytime or over the long term