Hormonal effects on lymphatic transport of interstitial albumin in the dog

Abstract

Albumin-I¹³¹ was subcutaneously injected into dogs under control conditions and while receiving growth hormone, thyroxine, or cortisone, and measurements were made of the subcutaneous disappearance and the appearance of the radioactivity in the plasma. These data were then expressed by a two- or three-exponential equation, and the rate of decline (α) of the equation describing the subcutaneous radioactivity was taken as an indirect measure of lymph flow. Lymph flow thus measured was increased in dogs treated with growth hormone or thyroxine while markedly decreased in dogs receiving cortisone. In accordance with the increased lymph flow, the time required for the subcutaneous radioactivity to appear in the plasma was shorter in dogs treated with growth hormone or thyroxine, but it was again shorter in dogs treated with cortisone despite the decreased lymph flow. These findings and further mathematical analysis of the data led to the concept that under the influence of cortisone, the interstitial albumin bypasses, at some sites along the lymphatics, the normal paths of albumin transport.