OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible influence of the impairment of lymph fluid on the metabolism of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the lymphedematous skin tissue.

METHODSTissue fluid was collected in lymphedematous limbs and the contralateral healthy limbs of 39 patients and HA content was measured with radioimmunoassay. The protein contents were also measured.

RESULTSThe HA contents in interstitial fluid of lymphedematous limb were significantly (8 fold) higher than that of normal limb. The protein concentration in the tissue fluid did not show significant differences between lymphedema and those with normal tissue.

CONCLUSIONThe result suggests blockage of regional draining lymphatics may impairs breakdown of HA and the stagnation of HA in the limb may exert a deleterious effect on the interstitium.