Pleural protein concentration and liquid volume in spontaneously hypertensive rats

To determine the effect of systemic vascular hypertension on fluid balance in the pleural space, we studied the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and its genetic normotensive control, the Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY). We measured arterial and venous pressures, total protein and albumin concentrations of pleural liquid and plasma, pleural space thickness, and pleural surface pressure in SHR and WKY that were matched for weight (260-300 g). Protein concentration was measured by a manual Biuret test and albumin concentration was measured by the bromcresol green colorimetric method. Pleural liquid thickness was measured in situ using light microscopy. Pleural surface pressure was assumed to equal pleural liquid pressure. In the SHR, total protein and albumin concentrations in pleural liquid were lower than in WKY, and pleural space thickness was larger in SHR than in WKY. These results are consistent with a higher capillary pressure and greater fluid filtration in SHR.