Contribution of the liver to thoracic duct lymph flow in a motionless subject

W. P. Mobley, K. Kintner, C. L. Witte, M. H. Witte

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

To ascertain the contribution of the liver to thoracic duct lymph (TDL) flow in a resting subject, afferent hepatic blood flow was temporarily interrupted in dogs by placing an atraumatic clamp across the hepatoduodenal ligament containing the hepatic artery, portal vein and 80% of hepatic lymphatic drainage. To circumvent extrahepatic splanchnic venous sequestration, a side-to-side portacaval shunt (S-S-PCS) was constructed prior to interrupting blood flow. Portal venous pressure, cervical TDL flow, and total protein content were serially monitored. TDL and total protein after S-S-PCS was comparable to that recorded in dogs without celiotomy (0.60 ± 0.17 ml/min and 3.4 ± 0.5 g/dl, respectively). Interruption of hepatic blood flow was associated with a fall in TDL flow (0.38 ± 0.8 ml; p<0.001) and protein content (2.8 ± 0.7 g/dl; p<0.01) and TDL/plasma protein ratio (0.58 ± 0.7 to 0.48 ± 0.05; p<0.01). These data suggest that in the absence of supplemental fluid administration or other exogenous stimulation, hepatic lymph contributes one-third of resting TDL flow.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)81-84
Number of pages4
JournalLymphology
Volume22
Issue number2
StatePublished - 1989

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Hematology

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