[Morphologic changes in the lymph microcirculation of serous membranes in rheumatism and systemic lupus...

Microcirculation consists of two elements--hemomicrocirculation and lymphomicrocirculation, the both being closely interrelated with each other. Lymphomicrocirculation was studied on the serous membranes taken from dead people who had died of rheumatism and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The microcirculatory bed in the serous membranes was identified by V. V. Kupriyanov's method. The results of the studies showed that in serous membranes in rheumatism there occurred gradual emptying of lymphomicrocirculation and at the same time--compensatory-adaptive and regeneratory processes, the latter being manifested in formation of blind projections of capillaries, in broadening of the lumen. In SLE the lymphatic link actively participated in elimination of metabolism products and underwent a continuous rearrangement with formation of closed and communicant cysterns. Moreover, there was noted a new formation of lymphatic capillaries, which should be considered as a compensatory-adaptive process. Hemo- and lymphomicrocirculation elements are intimately connected due to close contacts between capillaries of the two elements of microcirculation, however, without formation of connecting fistulas. Hemo- and lymphomicrocirculation is an integrate, and under conditions of pathology there developed therein compensatory-adaptive and regenerative processes aimed at the maintenance of tissue metabolic and hemodynamic homeostasis.