Effect of postural changes on human lymphatic capillary pressure of the skin

1. The influence of postural changes on cutaneous lymphatic capillary pressure and venous pressure was measured at the dorsum of the foot in twelve healthy volunteers. Measurements were performed in the supine and sitting positions. 2. Lymphatic skin capillaries were visualized by fluorescence microlymphography with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-Dextran 150000. Subsequently a lymphatic capillary was punctured with a glass micropipette and pressure was measured using the servo-nulling technique. Lymphatic capillary pressure, venous pressure, heart and respiration rates were recorded simultaneously. 3. Mean lymphatic capillary pressure was significantly higher (P = 0.0096) in the sitting (9.9 +/- 3.0 mmHg) than in the supine (3.9 +/- 4.2 mmHg) position. There was no significant difference (P = 0.09) between lymphatic capillary pressure and venous pressure (6.8 +/- 3.4 mmHg) in the supine position. During sitting mean lymphatic capillary pressure was significantly lower (P = 0.0022) than mean venous pressure (53.3 +/- 4.1 mmHg). The smaller increase in lymphatic capillary pressure may be caused by the discontinuous fluid column in the lymphatic system and enhanced orthostatic contractile activity of lymphatic collectors and precollectors. Spontaneous low frequency pressure fluctuations occurred in 89% of recordings during sitting, which was significantly (P = 0.02) higher than in the supine position (54%). 4. The present results support the suggestion of enhanced intrinsic contractile activity of lymph precollectors and collectors in the dependent position. This mechanism is primarily responsible for the propulsion of lymph from the periphery to the thoracic duct during quiet sitting, when extrinsic pumping by the calf muscles is not active.