Interactions of intestinal lymph flow and secretion.

The relationship between lymph flow and intestinal secretion was studied in an isolated, vascularly perfused cat ileal preparation in which secretion was caused by three different means: 1) plasma dilution from a constant infusion of Tyrode solution (2.5 ml/min per kg), 2) elevation of intestinal venous pressure to 30 mmHg, and 3) exposure to cholera toxin. In the plasma-dilution group, lymph flow attained a peak value of 38 times control at 60-90 min following the onset of the infusion, after which time lymph flow progressively decreased. Concomitant to the rapid decrease in lymph flow was a rapid increase in intestinal secretion (filtration secretion). A similar pattern, i.e., a rapid increase in lymph flow followed by a progressive decrease in lymph flow and concomitant increase in filtration secretion, was observed in the venous hypertension group; however, peak lymph flow (20 X control) was observed within 10 min of the pertubation. No correlation between the onset of intestinal secretion and a decline in lymph flow was observed in the cholera toxin group.