Comparative Metabolic Effects of Ingestion of Water or 1 Per Cent Sodium Chloride Solution in the Rat With a Thoracic Duct Lymph Fistula

Abstract

A comparison, over a 4-day period, of certain metabolic effects of ingestion of 1% NaCl soln. or water in rats with thoracic duct lymph fistulas in sham-operated controls indicated the following: Fluid intake and lymph output, quantities of lymph protein and of lymph non-nitrogenous solids, and total lymphocyte output were significantly increased in lymph fistula animals maintained on NaCl. A significant decrease in plasma protein concn. occurred in lymph fistula animals maintained on NaCl. This decrease did not occur in fistula animals maintained on water, providing evidence of the role of NaCl in mobilizing plasma and interstitial proteins. An absolute blood mononuclear leukopenia developed in both types of fistula animals in the course of these expts., although total white blood cell counts were not markedly altered. Urine output of fistula and control animals maintained on saline was double that of water fistula or control animals. The excretion of urinary N, NPN, and the concn. of urinary protein were not significantly different in any of the groups. The total excretion of urinary protein N and of non-nitrogenous solids, by animals on saline intake was greater than for the animals on water, irrespective of the presence of a lymph fistula.