In vitro effects of temperature on red blood cell deformability and membrane stability in human and various vertebrate species

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Matrai, Adam Attila^{a; b} | Varga, Gabor^{a; b} | Tanczos, Bence^{a; b} | Barath, Barbara^{a; b} | Varga, Adam^{a; b} | Horvath, Laszlo^c | Bereczky, Zsuzsanna^d | Deak, Adam^{a; 1} | Nemeth, Norbert^{a; 1; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Operative Techniques and Surgical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary | [b] Doctoral School of Clinical Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary | [c] Department of Pharmaceutical Surveillance and Economics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary | [d] Division of Clinical Laboratory Science, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Norbert Nemeth MD, PhD, DSc, Department of Operative Techniques and Surgical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98., Hungary. Tel.:/Fax: +36 52416 915; E-mail: nemeth@med.unideb.hu.

Note: [1] These authors contributed equally this work.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:The effects of temperature on micro-rheological variables have not been completely revealed yet. OBJECTIVE:To investigate micro-rheological effects of heat treatment in human, rat, dog, and porcine blood samples. METHODS:Red blood cell (RBC) - buffer suspensions were prepared and immersed in a 37, 40, and 43°C heat-controlled water bath for 10 minutes. Deformability, as well as mechanical stability of RBCs were measured in ektacytometer. These tests were also examined in whole blood samples at various temperatures, gradually between 37 and 45°C in the ektacytometer. RESULTS:RBC deformability significantly worsened in the samples treated at 40 and 43°C, more expressed in human, porcine, rat, and in smaller degree in canine samples. The way of heating (incubation vs. ektacytometer temperation) and the composition of the sample (RBC-PBS suspension or whole blood) resulted in the different magnitude of RBC deformability deterioration. Heating affected RBC membrane (mechanical) stability, showing controversial alterations. CONCLUSION:Significant changes occur in RBC deformability by increasing temperature, showing inter-species differences. The magnitude of alterations is depending on the way of heating and the composition of the sample. The results may contribute to better understanding the micro-rheological deterioration in hyperthermia or fever.

Keywords: Hyperthermia, fever, heat-treatment, hemorheology, interspecies differences

DOI: 10.3233/CH-211118

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 291-300, 2021