Oedema-preventing mechanisms in a low-compliant tissue: studies on the rat tail

The long-term effect of elevated tail venous pressure (Pv) on interstitial fluid pressure (Pi) and colloid osmotic pressure (COPi) was studied in rats. Measurements were performed on different rats after 1-5 days of congestion, and on a sham operated control group. Two different degrees of venous stasis were obtained by means of graded ligation of tail veins and skin. Moderate degree of ligation (group 1) caused no visual oedema. More extensive ligation (group 2) gave marked oedema already on day 1 and further progression and exudation from the skin during the following 3 days. Tail venous pressure was measured by micropuncture and interstitial fluid pressure by the wick-in-needle technique. Interstitial fluid was sampled by a dry wick method, and colloid osmotic pressure was measured with a membrane osmometer. In group 1, Pv had increased from 6.5 to 21.5 mmHg on day 1, and thereafter remained unchanged. Interstitial fluid pressure increased from 3.4 to 16.9 mmHg after ligation and to 19.2 mmHg on day 1. Colloid osmotic pressure fell from 11.7 to 5.8 mmHg. From day 1, both interstitial fluid pressure and colloid osmotic pressure remained largely unchanged. In group 2 rats, tail venous pressure increased to 33.0 and 36.3 mmHg on day 1 and 2 and then fell towards control level during the following 3 days. Interstitial fluid pressure increased to 22.9 and 31.4 mmHg before a rapid decline towards control level. Colloid osmotic pressure was reduced from 11.7 to 5.6 mmHg. We conclude that hydrostatic counterpressure may provide an oedema-preventing effect of up to about 15 mmHg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)