Experimental study on protein transmission through the human muscle fascia: preliminary results and application theory in lymphedema.

The presence of proteins (albumin and globulins) in lymphedematous tissue not only gives rise to colloidosmotic pressure but also produces an electrostatic charge endowing the proteins with individual features and different migration rates. The working hypothesis of the experimental study is to transfer lymph proteins from the upper fascia accumulation area to a subfascial drainage area by subjecting them to an adequate difference in potential. A double chamber, variable volume system with separation wall able to contain a 1 cm square of muscle fascia, was designed and built; the aim of the apparatus was to reproduce the subcutaneus zone separated by the fascia interposition, from the muscle-vascular zone. At the system was applied a variable electric field in six different experiments: 4 using porous synthetic membranes and 2 using human muscle fascia.