Comparison between pore model predictions and sheep lung fluid and protein transport.

The multiple pore model of T. R. Harris and R. J. Roselli (1981, J. Appl. Physiol: Respir. Environ. Exercise Physiol. 50, 1-14), was used to simulate lung lymph flow and protein transport at various levels of microvascular pressure. Response of the three-pore structure determined in that study was found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental sheep lung lymph measurements of R. E. Parker, R. J. Roselli, T. R. Harris, and K. L. Brigham (1981, Circ. Res. 49, 1164-1172). Optimal one- and two-pore model structures were also determined and their responses compared with the experimental data. The two-pore model behavior was found to be very similar to that of the three-pore model but a homoporous model which reproduced the experimental findings could not be found. All simulations required interstitial fluid pressure to increase as microvascular pressure was elevated. True filtration-independent conditions could only be simulated when lung vascular pressures were raised to physiologically unrealistic values.