Transcapillary protein flux following blood volume modification in dog

The net fluid and protein movements between intravascular and interstitial space following blood withdrawal and retransfusion of 15% of circulating blood volume were measured in dogs using a continuous monitoring method of circulating blood volume. A significant (p less than 0.01) increase in transvascular fluid shift was observed after the start of blood withdrawal and a new equilibrium state was reached within 15 to 20 min. Associated with the fluid shift, a significant increase in plasma protein of about 1 g was observed. On the other hand, blood retransfusion caused significant (p less than 0.01) increases in the shift of fluid and protein from intravascular space to interstitial space. The magnitudes of the shift of fluid and protein were almost identical in both blood withdrawal and retransfusion. The Kedem-Katchalsky transport equation was applied to the results obtained in the present study in order to analyze the relative role of diffusion and convection and to estimate the reflection coefficient for protein. A significant (p less than 0.01) linear relationship was observed between fluid and protein movement. These results suggest that the convective process is involved in the shift of protein between intravascular and interstitial space observed after blood volume modification.