Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in the functionality and lymphatic circulation of the upper limb of women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND: With the increase in survival of women treated for breast cancer, it is necessary to evaluate the effect of therapeutic resources on co-morbidities resulting from the surgical treatment of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on the functionality and lymphatic circulation of the upper limb involved in the treatment of breast cancer. METHODS: The study was conducted according to randomized clinical trial design. Thirty-two women at a mean age of 52.20 (±8.32) years, submitted to breast cancer treatment, divided into two groups, control - women submitted to standard breast cancer treatment, and treated group, composed of women who underwent breast cancer treatment and rehabilitation with the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique. Palmar grip strength with dynamometer and shoulder range of motion with goniometer were evaluated. Lymphatic circulation analysis was performed in a computerized scintillation chamber, before and after therapeutic intervention. FINDINGS: In the results obtained, a significant increase (p < 0.05) of palmar grip strength was observed, a significant increase in range of motion of flexion (p < 0.001), extension (p < 0.0012), abduction (p < 0.0001), external rotation (p < 0.0001), internal rotation (p < 0.0001), and not significant for lymphatic flow (p > 0.05). INTERPRETATION: The results obtained in this study allow us to conclude that proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation favors an increase in muscle strength, range of motion, but not in lymphatic flow, in women undergoing surgical treatment for breast cancer.

Quantification of Thoracic Lymphatic Flow Patterns Using Dynamic Contrast-enhanced MR Lymphangiography.

Background Dynamic contrast material-enhanced MR lymphangiography has recently emerged as a technique to image the lymphatic anatomy and identify lymphatic flow abnormalities; however, a method to quantify lymphatic flow in health and disease is needed. Purpose To develop a method to quantify thoracic lymphatic flow patterns using dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography. Materials and Methods The following patients with dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography images collected in 2015 and 2016 were retrospectively identified: group A, neonates with chylothorax; group B, children with heart failure complicated by plastic bronchitis; and group C, adults with lymphatic plastic bronchitis and without heart failure. An automated image segmentation method was developed for segmenting the contrast-enhanced lymphatic flow in spatiotemporal domains from the dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography images. The lymphatic flow rates were quantified for individual patients on the basis of their spatiotemporal dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography segmentation results, and the flow rates were compared among the three patient groups by using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results Twenty-two patients were evaluated: seven neonates (mean age, 49 days ± 71 [standard deviation]; three boys, four girls), 10 children (mean age, 8 years ± 3; seven boys, three girls), and five adults (mean age, 46 years ± 10; three men, two women). The proposed method was used to obtain lymphatic flow segmentation results with Dice scores of 0.80, 0.82, and 0.83 for patients from groups A, B, and C, respectively. The mean flow rates for groups A, B, and C were 1.8 mL/min ± 1.4, 4.0 mL/min ± 1.8, and 12.5 mL/min ± 3.8, respectively. The flow rate differed significantly between groups A and B (P = .002), groups A and C (P = .01), and groups B and C (P = .01). Conclusion An automatic spatiotemporal segmentation method was used to determine thoracic lymphatic flow rates in individual patients based on their dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiographic images. © RSNA, 2020 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Inherent biomechanical traits enable infective filariae to disseminate through collecting lymphatic vessels.

Filariases are diseases caused by arthropod-borne filaria nematodes. The related pathologies depend on the location of the infective larvae when their migration, the asymptomatic and least studied phase of the disease, comes to an end. To determine factors assisting in filariae dissemination, we image Litomosoides sigmodontis infective larvae during their escape from the skin. Burrowing through the dermis filariae exclusively enter pre-collecting lymphatics by mechanical disruption of their wall. Once inside collectors, their rapid and unidirectional movement towards the lymph node is supported by the morphology of lymphatic valves. In a microfluidic maze mimicking lymphatic vessels, filariae follow the direction of the flow, the first biomechanical factor capable of helminth guidance within the host. Finally, non-infective nematodes that rely on universal morpho-physiological cues alone also migrate through the dermis, and break in lymphatics, indicating that the ability to spread by the lymphatic route is an ancestral trait rather than acquired parasitic adaptation.

Lymphatic endothelial cell immunohistochemical markers for evaluation of the intestinal lymphatic vasculature in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy.

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) immunohistochemical markers have identified intestinal lymphatic vasculature abnormalities in humans with inflammatory bowel disease, but have not been used to evaluate intestinal lymphatic vasculature in a group of dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE). OBJECTIVES: To utilize LEC markers to identify and measure intestinal lymphatic vasculature in endoscopic biopsy samples of CIE dogs. To evaluate whether measured lymphatic vasculature variables correlate with serum albumin concentrations. ANIMALS: Twenty-four dogs with CIE; n = 13, serum albumin concentration <2.5 g/dL (CIE-protein-losing enteropathy [PLE]), n = 11, serum albumin concentration ≥2.5 g/dL (CIE-N). METHODS: Prospective study. Lymphatic endothelial cell immunolabeling with Prox-1 and LYVE-1 performed on endoscopic biopsy samples from 24 dogs with CIE. Duodenal and ileal villous lacteal width (VLW) and proprial mucosal lacteal width (MLW) were determined for each case and analyzed for correlation with serum albumin concentration. Lacteal dilatation scores using routine H&E histopathology were assessed for correlation with immunohistochemistry (IHC)-calculated VLW and MLW. RESULTS: Lower serum albumin concentrations were correlated with increased VLW (rho = -.4644; P = .02) and MLW (rho = -.6514; P < .001) in the ileum. Lymphatic endothelial cell IHC identified presumptive proprial mucosal lymphangiectasia in some dogs that was not recognized with routine H&E staining. Lacteal dilatation scores were correlated with VLW in duodenum (rho = .4634; P = .02) and ileum (rho = .5292; P = .008), but did not correlate with MLW. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Lymphatic endothelial cell immunolabeling identified presumptive proprial mucosal lymphangiectasia in CIE dogs, particularly in the ileum of hypoalbuminemic dogs. Routine evaluation of villous lacteals likely underestimates abnormalities of the lymphatic vasculature in dogs with CIE.

Is lymphatic reconstitution possible after meshed skin grafting?

Restorative potential of lymph transport after skin graft has rarely been discussed. We report a case of lymphatic reconstitution across meshed, split-thickness skin graft performed for a patient with necrotizing fasciitis. The patient underwent extensive circumferential soft tissue debridement of the lower leg and resurfacing of the skin defect with meshed split-thickness skin graft. Indocyanine green fluorescence lymphography was performed 3 years after surgery and demonstrated that injected dye in the foot traveled across the skin graft and reached to the adjacent native skin in the proximal region. Our observation revealed that transferred split-thickness skin graft possessed some potential to allow for transport of lymph fluid possibly owing to the retention of lymphatic capillaries.

Electrical Communication in Lymphangions.

Contractions of lymphangions, i.e., the segment between two one-way lymphatic valves, generate the pressure gradients that propel lymph back to the circulation. Each lymphangion is comprised of an inner sheet of lymphatic endothelial cells circumscribed by one or more layers of lymphatic muscle cells (LMCs). Each contraction is produced by an LMC action potential (AP) that propagates via gap junctions along the lymphangion. Yet, electrical coupling within and between cell layers and the impact on AP waves is poorly understood. Here, we combine studies in rat and mouse lymphatic vessels with mathematical modeling to show that initiation of AP waves depends on high input resistance (low current drain), whereas propagation depends on morphology and sufficient LMC:LMC coupling. Simulations show that 1) myoendothelial coupling is insignificant to facilitate AP generation and sustain an experimentally measured cross-junctional potential difference of 25 mV, i.e., AP waves propagate along the LMC layer only; 2) LMC:LMC resistance is estimated around 2-10 MΩ but depends on vessel structure and cell-cell coupling, e.g., some degree of LMC overlap protects AP waves against LMC decoupling; 3) the propensity of AP wave initiation is highest around the valves, where the density of LMCs is low; and 4) a single pacemaker cell embedded in the LMC layer must be able to generate very large currents to overcome the current drain from the layer. However, the required current generation to initiate an AP wave is reduced upon stimulation of multiple adjacent LMCs. With stimulation of all LMCs, AP waves can also arise from heterogeneity in the electrical activity of LMCs. The findings advance our understanding of the electrical constraints that underlie initiation of APs in the LMC layer and make testable predictions about how morphology, LMC excitability, and LMC:LMC electrical coupling interact to determine the ability to initiate and propagate AP waves in small lymphatic vessels.

Utilizing lymphatic cell markers to visualize human lymphatic abnormalities.

In vivo visualization of the human lymphatic system is limited by the mode of delivery of tracing agents, depth of field and size of the area examined, and specificity of the cell markers used to distinguish lymphatic endothelium from the blood vessels and the surrounding tissues. These limitations are particularly problematic when imaging human lymphatic abnormalities. First, limited understanding of the lymphatic disease aetiology exists with respect to genetic causes and phenotypic presentations. Second, the ability of a tracer to reach the entire lymphatic network within the diseased tissue is suboptimal. Third, what is known about the expression of lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) markers, such as podoplanin, lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor, Drosophila melanogaster homeobox gene prospero-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 in rodent lymphatic vessels and healthy human LECs may not necessarily apply in human lymphatic disease settings. The aim of this review is to highlight challenges in visualizing lymphatic vessels in human lymphatic abnormalities with respect to distribution patterns of the cellular markers currently employed to visualize abnormal human lymphatic vessels in experimental settings. Allowing for these limitations within new diagnostic visualization technologies is likely to improve our ability to image human lymphatic diseases.

Analysis of nerve supply pattern in human lymphatic vessels of young and old men.

BACKGROUND: The present work deals with innervation patterns along collector lymphatic vessels from cervical, mesenteric, and femoral regions, and lymph capillaries in young and elderly subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Morphological and morphometric analysis of nerve fibers along lymph vessels was performed by immunohistochemistry for PGP 9.5, NPY, TH, ChAT, VIP, SP, and dopamine. Nerves containing NPY and TH were frequent, whereas immunoreactivity for ChAT and VIP were few. SP-positive fibers were widely distributed in the medial and endothelial layers. Dopamine neurotransmitters were observed in a few short nerve fibers. A more diffuse presence of nerve fibers in mesenteric and femoral lymph vessels, compared to cervical ones, was detected. In lymph capillary vessels, a few nerve fibers positive for neuropeptides and neurotransmitters were detected, whereas no dopamine and VIP immunoreactive fibers were detected. A wide reduction of all specific nerve fibers analyzed was detected in lymph vessels from elderly subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The presence on lymph vessels of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve systems can be declared. The differences observed in lymphatic vessel innervation patterns may note the involvement in lymph flow regulation, calling attention in aging, when nerve fibers reduction may cause functional default of lymph vessels.

Relationships between lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis during inflammation in rat mesentery microvascular networks.

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic and blood microvascular systems play a coordinated role in the regulation of interstitial fluid balance and immune cell trafficking during inflammation. The objective of this study was to characterize the temporal and spatial relationships between lymphatic and blood vessel growth in the adult rat mesentery following an inflammatory stimulus. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mesenteric tissues were harvested from unstimulated adult male Wistar rats and at 3, 10, and 30 days post compound 48/80 stimulation. Tissues were immunolabeled for PECAM, LYVE-1, Prox1, podoplanin, CD11b, and class III ß-tubulin. Vascular area, capillary blind end density, and vascular length density were quantified for each vessel system per time point. Blood vascular area increased compared to unstimulated tissues by day 10 and remained increased at day 30. Following the peak in blood capillary sprouting at day 3, blood vascular area and density increased at day 10. The number of blind-ended lymphatic vessels and lymphatic density did not significantly increase until day 10, and lymphatic vascular area was not increased compared to the unstimulated level until day 30. Lymphangiogenesis correlated with the upregulation of class III ß-tubulin expression by endothelial cells along lymphatic blind-ended vessels and increased lymphatic/blood endothelial cell connections. In local tissue regions containing both blood and lymphatic vessels, the presence of lymphatics attenuated blood capillary sprouting. CONCLUSIONS: Our work suggests that lymphangiogenesis lags angiogenesis during inflammation and motivates the need for future investigations aimed at understanding lymphatic/blood endothelial cell interactions. The results also indicate that lymphatic endothelial cells undergo phenotypic changes during lymphangiogenesis.

The connection between lymphangiogenic signalling and prostaglandin biology: a missing link in the metastatic pathway.

Substantial evidence supports important independent roles for lymphangiogenic growth factor signaling and prostaglandins in the metastatic spread of cancer. The significance of the lymphangiogenic growth factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and VEGF-D, is well established in animal models of metastasis, and a strong correlation exits between an increase in expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D, and metastatic spread in various solid human cancers. Similarly, key enzymes that control the production of prostaglandins, cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2, prototypic targets of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)), are frequently over-expressed or de-regulated in the progression of cancer. Recent data have suggested an intersection of lymphangiogenic growth factor signaling and the prostaglandin pathways in the control of metastatic spread via the lymphatic vasculature. Furthermore, this correlates with current clinical data showing that some NSAIDs enhance the survival of cancer patients through reducing metastasis. Here, we discuss the potential biochemical and cellular basis for such anti-cancer effects of NSAIDs through the prostaglandin and VEGF signaling pathways.

Pharmacological manipulation of blood and lymphatic vascularization in ex vivo-cultured mouse embryos.

Formation of new blood and lymphatic vessels is involved in many physiological and pathological processes, including organ and tumor growth, cancer cell metastasis, fluid drainage and lymphedema. Therefore, the ability to manipulate vascularization in a mammalian system is of particular interest to researchers. Here we describe a method for pharmacological manipulation of de novo and sprouting blood and lymphatic vascular development in ex vivo-cultured mouse embryos. The described protocol can also be used to evaluate the properties of pharmacological agents in growing mammalian tissues and to manipulate other developmental processes. The whole procedure, from embryo isolation to image quantification, takes 3-5 d, depending on the analysis and age of the embryos.

Lipidomics analysis of mesenteric lymph after trauma and hemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND: After trauma and hemorrhagic shock (T/HS), a variety of inflammatory mediators enter the systemic circulation through mesenteric lymph ducts, leading to acute lung injury and multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome. Recent studies have demonstrated that post-HS mesenteric lymph (PHSML) activates polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and causes vascular endothelial cell and red blood cell dysfunction. Furthermore, PHSML contains proinflammatory mediators, such as biologically active lipids. The purpose of this study was to identify the lipid mediators in PHSML and plasma by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and then estimate the biologic activities of the identified lipids on PMNs. METHODS: PHSML was collected from male Sprague-Dawley rats undergoing trauma (laparotomy) plus HS (40 mm Hg, 30 minutes) or sham shock (SS). The lipids in PHSML and plasma were extracted using the methods of Bligh and Dyer, and liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was performed. The biologic activities (superoxide production and elastase release) of identified lipids on human PMNs were tested. RESULTS: Phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), phosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), and sphingomyelin were detected in the PHSML. Furthermore, linoleoyl, arachidonoyl, and docosahexaenoyl LPCs and LPEs significantly increased in the PHSML of the T/HS group as compared with those of the T/SS group. In the plasma, arachidonoyl and docosahexaenoyl LPCs of the T/HS group also significantly increased in comparison with that of the T/SS group. Linoleoyl and arachidonoyl LPCs and LPEs showed the priming activity on N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-activated PMNs. The elastase release was also induced by linoleoyl and arachidonoyl LPCs. CONCLUSION: Mesenteric lymph after T/HS contains biologically active lipids, such as LPCs and LPEs with polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury/multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome.

Local retrograde and destination transfer of physiological regulators as an important regulatory system and its role. Facts and hypothesis.

In recent decades, among many physiological regulatory systems operating as local and central controls, the mechanism of the local regulatory system based on the uptake and retrograde transfer of hormones and other physiological regulators to the places of their secretion or their destination transfer to nearby structures has become precisely understood. The system of the retrograde transfer and local destination transfer of the physiological regulators, situated between endocrine and paracrine regulation, operates primarily on the basis of specific morphological adaptations of the local blood circulatory system and lymphatic system. These adaptations enable the transfer of the regulatory molecules through the walls of blood and lymph vessels and locally increase their concentrations in the arterial blood supplying the organ secreting them (retrograde transfer) or a nearby organ (destination transfer). Extensive studies on the structure and functions of the retrograde and destination transfer system have focused on several key areas: the female and male reproductive organs, the perihypophyseal vascular complex (the venous cavernous sinus and the internal carotid artery or the rete mirabile of the internal carotid artery or maxillary artery), and the periophthalmic vascular complex (the venous ophthalmic sinus or plexus and the rete mirabile of the external ophthalmic artery). The local retrograde transfer of regulatory molecules not only allows them to be reused but also influences their production by a feedback mechanism. The local destination transfer of physiological regulators can selectively supply nearby organs with certain regulatory factors and thereby affect their function. Many observations indicate that the retrograde and local destination transfer of hormones and other biologically active substances may be a universal physiological regulatory mechanism, operating with only minor modifications in various species of animals and in humans. This review evaluates the most important published experimental studies and presents facts and hypothesis on the regulatory role of the retrograde and destination transfer of many steroid hormones, prostaglandins, pheromones, neurotransmitters (neurohormones) and CO in male and female reproductive physiology, in the physiology of the central nervous system and hypophysis and in eye function.

Ultrasonografía Doppler-color en el diagnóstico de las anomalías vasculares de las partes blandas superficiales en pediatría / Color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of vascular anomalies of the superficial soft tissue in children

Las anomalías vasculares de las partes blandas superficiales son frecuentes en el niño y se han clasificado en hemangiomas y malformaciones vasculares, según sus manifestaciones clínicas y hallazgos histológicos. La mayoría corresponde a hemangiomas, se presenta en el recién nacido, desaparece espontáneamente con el tiempo y sólo algunos de ellos requerirán de evaluación médica. Es importante especificar el tipo de lesión vascular para definir el tratamiento, lo que en la mayor parte de los casos es posible con los hallazgos clínicos. Sin embargo, a veces es necesario recurrir a estudios de imágenes para precisar el diagnóstico y los métodos más utilizados son la Ultrasonografía (US) Doppler-color; Resonancia magnética (RM) y Angiografía. La US Doppler-color es un método sencillo, inocuo, no invasivo, que permite diferenciar las lesiones superficiales de aquellas profundas y además permite evaluar la vascularización de la lesión y, de esta manera, lograr una adecuada aproximación diagnóstica. También permite seleccionar aquellos casos que requerirán de métodos más sofisticados, como RM o angiografía. El objetivo de esta revisión es mostrar la utilidad de la US Doppler en el estudio de las anomalías vasculares de las partes blandas superficiales en el niño.

Vascular anomalies of superficial soft tissues are frequent in children and have been classified in hemangiomas and vascular malformations, depending on clinical and histological findings. Most correspond to hemangiomas, present in the newborn period, which disappear spontaneously with time and only some may require an imaging evaluation. It is important to specify the type of vascular anomaly in order to define management, which in most cases is possible with just clinical findings. Nevertheless, some cases may require imaging studies to define diagnosis, and the most utilized methods are Doppler ultrasonography (US), magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) and angiography. Doppler US is a non invasive, harmless and simple method which allows to differentiate between deep and superficial lesions. It also permits to evaluate vascularization and in this manner; achieve an adequate diagnosis and select those cases that will require more sophisticated methods like MRI or angiography. The main objective of this review is to show the role of Doppler US in the study of superficial soft tissue vascular anomalies in children.

Lymphangiogenesis: from the pig embryos to cancer: [review] / Linfangiogênese: de embriões de suínos ao câncer: [revisão]

The discovery and the comprehension of lymphatic vessels suffered several historical delays and setbacks. The inherent anatomical problems slowed down the precise identification of the lymphatic system during the development of medical science. Gasparo Aselli, an Italian surgeon and anatomist, was the first to describe the lymphatic vessels in 1627 (De Lacteibus sive Lacteis Venis). However, most original descriptions that report the morphology of the lymphatic system in different organisms were done during the 19th and the 20th centuries. The recent identification of specific lymphatic vasculature molecular markers allows a more accurate identification and characterization of the lymphatic system evolution in different organs, as well as its role in different pathological conditions, including cancer. This study summarizes the current understanding of lymphangiogenesis in tumour progression, as well as it presents a review of the promising data regarding the prognostic value of lymphatic density and the use of therapeutic lymphangiogenic molecules.

A descoberta dos vasos linfáticos e sua compreensão enfrentaram uma série de atrasos e dificuldades históricos. As inerentes dificuldades anatômicas retardaram a identificação precisa da rede vascular linfática durante o desenvolvimento da ciência médica. Gasparo Aselli, um anatomista e cirurgião italiano, foi o primeiro a descrever os vasos linfáticos, em 1627 (De Lacteibus sive Lacteis Venis). Entretanto, a maioria das descrições originais que relatam a morfologia do sistema linfático nos diferentes organismos foi realizada depois, entre os séculos XIX e XX. A recente identificação de marcadores moleculares específicos à vasculatura linfática permite agora identificação e caracterização mais acuradas da evolução da rede linfática nos vários órgãos e em diferentes situações, inclusive no câncer. Esta revisão resume o conhecimento sobre a linfangiogênese na progressão tumoral, bem como apresenta uma síntese dos dados mais promissores em relação ao valor prognóstico da densidade linfática e da utilização das moléculas linfangiogênicas como alvo terapêutico.

Novel platelet and vascular roles for immunoreceptor signaling.

The immunoreceptor signaling pathway has classically been defined by its role in mediating intracellular signals downstream of immune receptors on circulating cells, but recent studies have revealed new and unexpected roles for this pathway in vascular biology. In platelets the immunoreceptor signaling pathway is coupled to 2 structurally distinct platelet collagen receptors, glycoprotein VI and integrin alpha2beta1, and is required for the activation of platelets after exposure to vessel wall collagen during plaque rupture. During vascular development immunoreceptor signaling is required for proper formation of the lymphatic system, a role that has revealed the contribution of hematopoietic endothelial progenitors to that process. In conjunction with the identification of new biological roles in vascular cell types, new molecular mechanisms of activating this signaling pathway have been discovered, including activation by integrins and immunoreceptor tyrosine activation motifs (ITAMs) on receptors that do not function as part of the immune response. Here we discuss some of these recent findings and their implications for vascular biology and the treatment of human vascular diseases.

[Impacts of steep pulsed electric fields on lymphatic capillaries in VX2 implanted breast cancer in rabbits].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Electrochemotherapy mediated by electric pulse has become a multidisciplinary biomedical engineering technique in modern medical science. Its main mechanisms are enhancing the diffusion of chemotherapeutic drugs, antibodies, or genes into the inner part of tumor cells mediated by membrane-electropermeabilization caused by electric pulse. Our previous studies confirmed that steep pulsed electric field (SPEF) could irreversibly cause membrane electropermeabilization, and lead to death of tumor cells. This study was to explore the acute killing effects of SPEF on lymphatic capillaries in VX2 implanted breast cancer in rabbits. METHODS: Tumor model of VX2 implanted breast cancer was successfully established in rabbits. Isosulfan blue staining, 5'-AMP-ALPase enzymohistochemical double staining, and electron microscopy was used to observe the morphologic changes of local lymphatic capillaries around cancer tissues exposed to SPEF. RESULTS: After exposed to SPEF, no lymphatic vessels were found with isosulfan blue staining, only blurred structures were observed; enzymohistochemistry showed no positively stained lymphatic vessels, only fragmental structures around cancer tissues were observed; integrity and continuity of lymphatic endothelium were destroyed under transmission electron microscope. CONCLUSION: SPEF has the potential to destroy lymphatic capillaries around VX2 implanted breast cancer, and can decrease the possibility of post-treatment lymphatic metastasis.

[Effects of ligustrazine injection on lymph circulation in rats with acute microcirculation disturbance].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the interferential effect of ligustrazine injection (LI) on lymph circulation in rats with acute microcirculation disturbance (AMD). METHODS: Sixteen Wistar male rats were divided into experimental and control groups. AMD was done by Dextran 500 injection from jugular vein and effects of LI on lymph circulation were observed in these rats by lymphatology methods. RESULTS: During AMD phase, the contractility of mesenteric lymphatic (ML) , the intestinal lymph flux, lymphocytes out put were obviously decreased, and there was little monocytes in the lymph fluid, but the lymph fluid viscosity was increased. After treatment of LI, the contractility of ML, the intestinal lymph flux, lymphocytes out put was obvious increased. There was a lot of monocytes in the lymph fluid and the lymph fluid viscosity was decreased. There were signifcant difference compared with control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LI can influence the recovery of AMD though enhancing the contractility of ML and the transport function of lymph circulation and decreasing lymph fluid viscosity.

Systemic neutrophil priming by lipid mediators in post-shock mesenteric lymph exists across species.

BACKGROUND: Post-hemorrhagic shock mesenteric lymph (PHSML) has been linked with neutrophil (PMN) priming, endothelial cell (EC) activation, and acute lung injury (ALI) in rodent models. We have previously identified the lipid fraction of PHSML as containing the causative agent(s). Due to the lesson learned from the rodent gut bacterial translocation experience, we sought to confirm this phenomenon using a large animal model; hypothesizing that lymph collected from the porcine gut following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) would cause PMN priming. METHODS: Mesenteric lymph was collected from adult pigs before, during, and for 2 hours after non-lethal hemorrhagic shock (mean arterial pressure = 30 mm Hg x 45 minutes). Whole lymph and the extracted lipid fractions of the lymph were then added to isolated human and porcine PMNs and superoxide production was measured by cytochrome C reduction. RESULTS: Hemorrhagic shock profoundly affected mesenteric lymph flow from baseline (pre-shock) flow rates of 75.63 +/- 8.86 mL/hr to 49.38 +/- 5.76 mL/hr during shock and increasing to 253.38 +/- 27.62 mL/hr after 2 hours of resuscitation. Human PMNs exposed to both whole lymph (PHSML) and its extracted lipids (PHSML Lipid) collected 2 hours after shock exhibited more than a two-fold increase in superoxide release upon activation compared with pre-shock samples: PHSML- 6.27 +/- 0.83 versus 2.56 +/- 0.60 nmolO2(-)/ 3.75 cells/mL/min, respectively (p = 0.007), PHSML Lipid- 4.93 +/- 0.34 versus 2.49 +/- 0.11 nmolO2(-)/ 3.75 cells/mL/min (p < 0.001). Similarly, porcine PMNs exhibited close to a two-fold activation when exposed to the lymph and lipid fraction: PHSML- 4.51 +/- 0.42 versus 1.06 +/- 0.28 nmolO2(-)/ 3.75 cells/mL/min (p = 0.008), PHSML Lipid-4.80 +/- 0.81 versus 1.55 +/- 0.23 nmolO2(-)/ 3.75 cells/mL/min (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Mesenteric lymphatics serve as the conduit for inflammatory mediators elaborated by the post-ischemic gut in both small and large animal models. Further, the causal agent(s) exist in the lipid fraction of the lymph and are active on both human and animal PMNs.