THE EFFECT OF ALTERATIONS IN EXTRACELLULAR FLUID ON THE COMPOSITION OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE

[摘要] Variations in the volume and composition of the extracellular fluid were produced by adrenal insufficiency, dehydration and intraperitoneal perfusion with a chloride-free solution. Direct analysis of blood, skin and tendon were performed to determine the extent to which loose and dense types of connective tissue varied with the changes in the plasma ultrafiltrate. Less than 10% of the sodium and chloride in tissue is associated with connective tissue solids in such a way as not to be readily diffusible.On the basis of these studies, a structure for connective tissue has been postulated with three divisions: A rapidly-equilibrating phase, a noncellular connective tissue solids phase and an intracellular phase. The noncellular solids, acting as polyelectrolytes, could bind ions to a variable extent depending on acid-base and fluid tonicity changes.The reduced rate of equilibration of dense connective tissue with extracellular fluid produces a phenomenon which would appear as "storage" in certain situations.Thus by binding and by delayed equilibria, connective tissue has a small capacity to act as a storage area for extracellular electrolyte, but in general, the fluid and salt of connective tissue is in direct diffusion equilibrium with plasma ultrafiltrate.

[学科分类] 儿科学