Beschreibung:
<jats:p>The endothelial glycocalyx shields the vascular wall from flowing blood and contributes to the permeability barrier.</jats:p><jats:p>We hypothesized that continuous infusion of testicular hyaluronidase reduces the glycocalyx, resulting in increased clearance rates for large dextran molecules.</jats:p><jats:p>C57Bl6 mice received 10, 25 or 100 U/hr hyaluronidase (intravenously, osmotic minipump) for 3, 7 or 14 days. Systemic glycocalyx volume (Vg) was estimated by tracer dilution using labeled red blood cells and 40kDa dextran. Clearance rate of 40kDa and 500kDa dextran were evaluated.</jats:p><jats:p>Three days of hyaluronidase (100 U/hr) first increased Vg to 34.8±11.2 (SD) ml/kg, base‐line Vg 20.1±2.8 ml/kg. Continuation reduced Vg to 8.7±4.3 ml/kg (day 7) and 7.4±14.1 ml/kg at day 14 and was associated with increased clearance rates (min<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>), from 0.023±0.002 and 0.0022±0.002 (day 0: 40‐ and 500kDa) to 0.044±0.016 and 0.020±0.005 (day 14: 40‐ and 500kDa). A dose dependent reduction in Vg was observed (day 14: 10.3±1.5 at 25 U/hr, 11.9±5.3 at 10 U/hr).</jats:p><jats:p>We conclude that prolonged infusion of hyaluronidase eventually reduces systemic glycocalyx which in turn, results in a reduced permeability barrier.</jats:p><jats:p>Supported by NHF 2005T037 to H. Vink and 2006B08 to E. Stroes</jats:p>