Lymphostase und Vitamine

Abstract

In the first part of the present work, experimental data are produced showing that a correlation does exist between lymphostasis and vitamins, both in connection with lymphoedema of the subcutaneous tissue and with lymphostatic increase of the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. In the second part, experimental data are discussed. A new theory is put forward which may be summarized as follows: If lymph drainage is unable to cope efficiently with an increased lymphatic load, fate of the oedematous area will be determined by the function of histiocytes. These elements of the reticuloendothelial system are able to incorporate and digest plasma proteins: they become colloidosmotically inactivated. Various vitamins increase this activity and, on the other hand, various vitamin deficiency states induce a decrease of this function.