VARIATION IN OUTPUT OF LEUKOCYTES AND ERYTHROCYTES IN HUMAN PERIPHERAL LYMPH DURING REST AND ACTIVITY

Abstract

The output of lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes
and erythrocytes in peripheral leg lymph from healthy
volunteers has been followed during night and
everyday activity, during and after venous stasis,
ergometer cycling and warm foot bath and during
immobilisation in horizontal position over two
24-hour periods. The output of lymphocytes
exceeded the output of monocytes and erythrocytes.
Granulocytes were not found except immediately
after cannulation. The cell output was low during
night rest and the horizontal position for 24 hours.
After assumption of the upright position the output
of lymphocytes increased about 80 times and the
output of erythrocytes 40 times probably because
of washout of cells accumulated in tissue during rest.
During ergometer cycling and venous stasis the output
of cells increased and even more in the one
hour rest period following this experiment. During
venous stasis the output dropped but increased after
the stasis had been released.
The pattern of variation in lymphocyte, erythrocyte
and monocyte output was the same. This indicate
that the fluctuation in output depends on variation
in blood flow in the tissue. The output of cells
during and after heating seams to be dependent also
on increased capillary permeability for cells as the
output of erythrocytes exceeded the output of
lymphocytes. The high erythrocyte/lymphocyte
ratio in blood versus a low ratio in lymph shows
that these two cell types pass through the capillary
wall by different mechanisms.