The relationship between tissue fluid and lymph. II. Enzymes in tissue fluid and lymph

In rabbits both under normal conditions and after burning the activity of intracellular enzymes (LDH, GOT) is higher in tissue fluid than in the peripheral (leg) lymph. The relationship between tissue fluid and lymphatic enzyme concentrations is non-linear. The observations suggest the presence of at least two distinct compartments in tissue fluid. The first compartment forms the pathway taken by the fluid and protein leaving the blood capillaries and is directly drained by the lymphatics. The second compartment is the 'true' tissue fluid, contains the extravascular protein pool and it is in dynamic equilibrium with the first compartment.