Abstract
Intradermal interstitial fluid pressure (p1) has been studied in rat skin during formation of inflammatory oedema caused by application of xylene.P, was measured with sharpened micropipettes connected to a servocontrolled counter‐pressure system. Control p1averaged –1.3 + 0.6 (SD) mmHg. Following xylene application p1decreased to – 5.0 mmHg after 5 min and then increased to stabilize at about 0 mmHg at 45–60 min and later. When the transvascular fluid shifts accompanying the inflammatory reaction were prevented by inducing circulatory arrest prior to xylene application, p1fell to –7.5 mmHg within 5 min and remained at this level throughout the observation period of 90 min. Aprotinin in large doses (80,000 KIE kg‐1) before xylene application reduced the fall in Pi, whereas indomethacin had no effect. The increased negativity inP1will add directly to a normal transcapillary net filtration pressure of about 0.5 mmHg, resulting in a 10– to 20‐fold increase in this pressure. The present experiments therefore suggest that the interstitium plays an active role in oedema formation in the initial phase of xylene‐induced inflammation in rat skin through the development of an increased negativity ofPi.