抄録
We demonstrate the physiological significance of rhythmical spontaneous contractions of collecting lymph vessels with special reference to the pathogenesis of tumor-mediated lymph edema. These spontaneous contractions play pivotal roles in regulating active lymph transport and controlling lymph formation by changing the pacemaker sites of the contractions and contractile patterns of lymphangions. The contractions also work physiologically under specific environment of lower oxygen tension in lymph (25 ∼ 40 mmHg), being another characteristic property in the lymphatic system. Chemical substances released from malignant tumor cells are also shown to produce a significant reduction of the spontaneous contractions through generation of endogenous nitric oxide and activation of ATP-dependent K+ channel. Finally, we discuss the pathophysiological significance of tumor-released chemical substance-dependent lymph edema in the tumor microcirculation.
