ARTERIOVENOUS SHUNTING IN THE LYMPH-NODE BEFORE AND AFTER ANTIGENIC STIMULUS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 36  (4) , 793-797
Abstract
The effects of antigenic stimulation on the regional blood flow of the lymph node were assessed. In 17 New Zealand white rabbits, the regional blood flow to the popliteal lymph nodes was determined using 9 and 15 .mu.m microspheres at 16, 40 and 144 h following antigen administration. The regional blood flow in the resting lymph node measured with 15 .mu.m spheres was 0.46 .+-. 0.07 ml/g per min, with 9 .mu.m spheres 0.26 .+-. 0.03 ml/g per min. There was a significant differential flow (the difference in blood flow between the experimental and control nodes) measured with 15 .mu.m spheres (P < 0.05). This increase in blood flow was larger early (16 h) than late (144 h) following antigen administration (P < 0.01). There was significant (P < 0.05) shunt flow (the difference in blood flow measured with 15 .mu.m and 9 .mu.m spheres) in the lymph node, with more shunting early (16 h) than late (144 h) following antigen administration. No significant shunting was seen in the kidney or thigh muscle. A significant increase in blood flow following antigenic stimulus, shunting of 9 .mu.m microspheres in the resting popliteal lymph node, increased shunting following antigenic stimulus was established. The increase in nodal blood flow was largely secondary to increased shunt flow. The increased blood flow and the shunting shortly after antigenic stimulus may be important in the evolution of the immune response.