Transport of Relatively Insoluble Materials from Lung to Lymph Nodes

Abstract

That concentration of relatively insoluble materials in the lung appears to bear a time dependent linear logarithmic relationship to that in the pulmonary lymph nodes has been shown with experimental data from inhalation of compounds of uranium, thorium, plutonium and polonium by man, dog or rat. Theoretical functions based upon various postulates have been derived for predicting the concentration of materials in lung and lymph nodes following inhalation exposure. Calculations based upon single and double exponential functions yield ratios between the two organs which closely approximate those from experimental studies. A long half life component is postulated for lung (10,000 days) and an infinite residence time in lymph nodes has been assumed. Even though complicated biological processes may be involved in the transport from lung to lymph nodes, until they are better understood, it appears that simple schemes like those presented could be employed.