| Impairment of lymphatic vessel drainage may cause lymphatic insufficiency and symptoms characteristic of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Consequently, we sought to develop a model of IBD by obstructing lymphatic vessels in the guinea pig small intestine. The effects of cauterizing afferent collecting lymphatic vessels of the ileum were studied six, 14 and 28 days post-operatively, by analysis of results at the microscopic, macroscopic and functional levels. Inflammation was not detectable after lymphatic vessel cauterization, but with further studies, may represent models of irritable bowel syndrome and/or obesity. Additionally, the effect of mast cell activation upon lymphatic contractile activity was investigated under normal conditions. Using a milk sensitized guinea pig model, mast cell activation increased lymphatic contractile activity, yet lymph flow was not significantly altered. This effect was mediated primarily by histamine activation of H1 receptors in lymphatic smooth muscle and may be detrimental to the resolution of inflammation. |
