Increased negativity of interstitial fluid pressure in rat trachea in dextran anaphylaxis

This study shows that, in rat trachea, dextran anaphylaxis is associated with increased negativity of interstitial fluid pressure (Pif) as measured with sharpened glass capillaries (tip diameter 3-7 microns) connected to a servo-controlled counterpressure system. Experiments were carried out in pentobarbital-anesthetized Wistar-Møller rats. Pif in the control situation was -2.5 +/- 0.38 (SD) mmHg. The mean pressure in animals killed 2 min after initiation of the anaphylactic reaction by injection of 1 ml of 10% Dextran 70 in 0.9% NaCl was -10.3 +/- 2.6 mmHg. In another experimental series, interstitial fluid volume was measured after dextran administration but without inducing circulatory arrest. Interstitial fluid volume increased from 0.94 +/- 0.16 to 1.56 +/- 0.42 ml/g dry wt after 10 min to 1.57 +/- 0.30 and 1.10 +/- 0.27 ml/g dry wt after 30 and 60 min, respectively. The increased negativity in Pif in tracheal mucosa in the early phase of dextran anaphylaxis will markedly increase the transcapillary net filtration pressure in the initial phase of edema development.