[Cell enzymes in lymph. Distribution and transport of cell enzymes within the extracellular space. II (author's transl)].

Enzyme patterns were measured in the lymph of the thoracic duct of the dog and in the intestinal lymph of the rat. Those patterns were compared to the corresponding activities in blood plasma. From the results it is concluded that under physiological conditions cell enzymes are released into the interstitial space and from there are transported via the lymph into the intravascular space. Only enzymes with a low molecular weight such as myokinase are able to penetrate the capillary membrane, thereby reaching the plasma without being transported exclusively by the lymph. There is a close relationship between the molecular weight of enzymes and their plasma/lymph ratios. In the rat the enzyme patterns in mesenteric lymph nodes and in intestinal mucosa and muscularis (duodenum as well as ileum) were also determined. No direct correlation between those intracellular patterns and the enzyme patterns in the intestinal lymph could be established. The significance of lymph and lymph flow for clinical enzymology is discussed with respect to physiological and pathological conditions. High sensitivity of diagnosis by means of enzyme measurements in plasma can be achieved only if the capillary permeability in the injured organ is high and/or the lymph flow from the organ is not restricted by the injury.