Effect of various factors on peritoneal lymphatic flow in rabbits.

Peritoneal lymphatic flow in normal and uremic rabbits was measured by estimation of the disappearance of the radiolabelled 131I-albumin from the peritoneal cavity. The results show that lymph flow rate from the peritoneal cavity is not steady and depends on dialysate volume, its tonicity, and protein content. During peritoneal dialysis, peritoneal lymphatic flow is lower at the beginning of an exchange. Peritoneal lymphatic drainage is higher in uremic rabbits compared to normal controls.