Affiliations: [a] Department of Biomechanics, Institute of Mechanics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| [b] Department of Interfaces and Colloids, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| [c] Department of Medicine and Biology, Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University, Yaroslavl, Russia
| [d] Uni Hospital, Panagyurishte, Bulgaria
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Nadia Antonova, Department of Biomechanics, Institute of Mechanics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G.Bonchev str., Bl.4, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria. Tel.: +359 2 9796467; Fax: +359 2 8707498; E-mail: antonova@imbm.bas.bg.
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Microfluidics is a useful tool for investigating blood microrheology. The study aimed to present the development of a microfluidic device for assessing the microrheological properties of blood cells’ suspensions and its application in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM). METHODS:A new microfluidic device was elaborated, connected to a system, including a microscope with a digital camera, a pump with a manometer and a computer with specially developed software. Blood cells’ suspensions were investigated in a microchamber between two parallel optical slides within a 100μm distance. The motion of the blood cells in the microchamber was observed by the microscope and it was recorded and visualized by a digital camera. A method for evaluating the deformability of blood cells and a device for its implementation were used [1]. RESULTS:The pressure and flow rate ranges in the microfluidic device were specified by model suspensions of beta-ferroxy-hydroxide and red blood cells (RBC) suspensions. The pressure changes, realized by a pump (micropipette), connected to a manometer were established and the corresponding shear rates in the microfluidic device were determined. Data about the blood microrheological properties like RBC aggregation and deformability, leukocyte adhesion from a group of healthy volunteers and from patients with T2DM were obtained. CONCLUSIONS:The developed device and experimental system is a promising tool for the study of blood microrheology.
Keywords: Microfluidic device, methodology, microrheology, red blood cell (RBC)
deformability and aggregation, leukocyte adhesion, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)
