Objective: To explore changes in lymph circulation in rats with experimental disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: DIC group and sham-operation group, with 16 rats in each group.In each group, 8 rats were used to observe the lymphatic circulation of intestinal mesentery, and the others were used to observe lymphatic dynamics. Experimental DIC model was replicated by injecting dextran 500 via jugular vein in Wistar rats. The changes in lymph circulation were observed in these rats with lymphology methods.
Results: During the phase of DIC, the contractility of mesenteric micro-lymphatic (ML), the intestinal lymph flux, lymphocytes output were obviously decreased, and there was a few monocytes in the lymph fluid, but the lymph fluid viscosity was increased. After treatment with normal saline (NS), the contractility of ML, the intestinal lymph flux, lymphocytes output were obviously increased, and there was a large amount of monocytes in the lymph fluid, with significant difference compared with sham-operation group (all P<0.05). Moreover, the lymph fluid viscosity was decreased compared with sham-operation group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The disturbance in lymph circulation mainly includes depression of contractility of lymphatics, the transport function of lymph circulation, and increased lymph fluid viscosity.