ICG fluorescence lymphography is safe, simple, and minimally invasive. The device is portable and easy to use. The technique may be useful in clinical practice to identify presence of lymphatic disorder.

No abstract

ICG fluorescence lymphography has the potential to become an alternative lymphatic imaging technique to assess lymph function.

We tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) modulates the permeability of tight junctions in a model intestinal epithelium (Caco-2BBe monolayers). Incubation with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) resulted in time- and concentration-dependent decreases in transepithelial resistance. Permeability to fluorescein sulfonic acid increased during incubation for 24 h in the presence of 1.25 mM SNP, 5 mM S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), or 1% NO gas. SNP-induced hyperpermeability was not due to loss of cell viability, as confirmed by intact ultrastructure, unaltered lactate dehydrogenase release, and ability to recover baseline permeability. Incubation with SNP increased permeability but only minimally increased intracellular levels of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). Incubation with Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin greatly increased cGMP levels with only a minimal effect on permeability. Cellular ATP levels decreased after incubation with SNP, SNAP, or gaseous NO. Incubation with SNP led to diminished fluoresceinphalloidin staining of junctional actin (confocal microscopy) and widened tight junctions (electron microscopy). We conclude that NO reduces ATP levels and reversibly increases the permeability of tight junctions in cultured Caco-2BBe cells.