Abstract
Various concepts of the function of renal lymph have been evolved, based largely on indirect evidence(1). The present report deals chiefly with electrolyte concentrations in renal lymph, preliminary data from a study designed to obtain more direct and definitive evidence of its function.
Procedure. Healthy mongrel dogs of both sexes were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (25 mg/kg). A polyethylene catheter was inserted into jugular vein via 15 gauge needle and utilized for plasma sampling and administration of fluids and drugs. The thoracic duct was cannulated and thoracic duct lymph collected in most experiments. Both ureters were catheterized at their junction with the bladder and urine collected separately from each kidney. Femoral arterial pressure was recorded with a mercury manometer. A left flank incision was employed to expose the kidney. The fat at both poles was usually ligated to engorge the capsular lymphatics and permit their cannulation with #50 polyethylene tubing. Renal lymph was collected in small glass tubes capped with one-hole stoppers to prevent evaporation and volumes estimated to the nearest .05 ml. During the prolonged period of exposure the kidney was covered with saran wrap to prevent evaporation. Sodium and potassium were analyzed with a Baird flamephotometer using internal standards, and chlorides by the method of Schales and Schales(2). Serum, renal lymph, and thoracic duct lymph proteins were analyzed with a Spinco paper electrophoresis apparatus while total protein was determined by the falling drop method(3). Heparin prevented clotting in blood and thoracic duct lymph samples.
Results. Concentrations of Na, Cl, and K in plasma, thoracic duct lymph and renal lymph are given in Table I. Na concentrations of plasma and thoracic duct lymph are similar (averages = 145.7 ± .77 and 145.6 ± 2.6 meq/l. Renal lymph, however, has an average concentration of 162.1 ± 2.8 meq/l, 11.3% higher than the average plasma value, a difference which is significant (P value = <.001).
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