Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 41, issue 2

Authors: Kaessmeyer, Sabine | Plendl, Johanna

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Despite standardized cultivation conditions different morphological forms of vascular development and different angiogenic potency were detected in endothelial cells of the corpus luteum in vitro. The aim of the present study was a comparative investigation of these luteal endothelial cell cultures by light and electron microscopy as well as immunocytochemistry including the use of endothelial and endothelial progenitor markers (CD34, VEGF-R2 and CD31). Screening of cellular proliferation in endothelial cells from regressing corpus luteum (ECreg) showed that vascular development in vitro followed the steps of the angiogenic cascade which starts with a linear alignment of cells, followed by circular …side-by-side arrangement. In contrast endothelial cells from developing corpus luteum (ECdev) showed highly active cells and in vitro vascular development was initiated by specific cell groups, so-called “Vascular Initiation Points” (VIP). These cells showed intense proliferation, built typical cellular clusters reminiscent of de novo vasculogenesis and organized into capillary-like tubes with an internal lumen as shown by electron microscopy. Show more

Keywords: Endothelium, in vitro, angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, corpus luteum, bovine

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2009-1159

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 83-101, 2009

Authors: Pfister, K. | Rennert, J. | Greiner, B. | Jung, W. | Stehr, A. | Gössmann, H. | Menzel, C. | Zorger, N. | Prantl, L. | Feuerbach, S. | Kasprzak, P. | Jung, E.M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Aim: Pre-surgical evaluation of the extent of internal carotid artery stenosis (ICA) according to NASCT criteria using digital 3D ultrasound methods. Material/Methods: In a prospective study, 25 patients (54–88 years, mean 75) with neurological deficits and the diagnosis of ICA stenosis underwent pre-surgical ultrasound examination using Color Coded Duplex Sonography (CCDS), 3D CCDS, 3D power Doppler, 3D B-flow, contrast enhanced 3D B-flow, and CTA/MRA. Ultrasound was performed by an experienced examiner with a multifrequency linear transducer (6–9 MHz, Logiq 9, GE). After bolus injection of 2.4 ml Sonovue i.v., low mechanical index technique (MI<0.16) was used for contrast enhanced …3D B-flow. As reference method for evaluation of the extent of ICA stenosis each patient underwent CTA (multislice CT, Sensation 16, Siemens) and/or MRA (1.5 T, Symphony Siemens). Indications for surgery (carotid EEA) followed the NASCET criteria. All images were interpreted and evaluated independently by two observers with three measurements of the degree of the ICA stenosis. For assessment of the extent of stenosis a 10%-scale from 50% to 99% was used. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman Correlation and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test with a significance threshold of p<0.05. Results: Assessment of the extent of ICA stenosis during surgery and in CTA/MRA displayed a range from 60% to 99% (mean 80%). Non significant differences were found with paired Wilcoxon test only for 3D B-flow with and without contrast medium (p<0.05). Correlation with surgical evaluation regarding the extent of ICA stenosis using Spearman correlation teat was 0.77 for B-scan, 0.90 for 3D CCDS, 0.84 for 3D Power Doppler, 0.91 for B-flow and 0.93 for contrast enhanced 3D B-flow. When circular calcifications were present, contrast enhanced flow detection of 3D B-flow proved to be useful. Visualisation of intrastenotic variances of severe and profound stenosis (70–99%) without blooming and reverberation artefacts was possible only with 3D B-flow. This facilitates the detection of the morphology of plaques ulcers as an embolic source. Conclusion: In correlation with surgery and CTA/MRA, a valid evaluation of the extent and morphology of ICA stenosis using 3D B-flow, with and without contrast medium, is feasible. Show more

Keywords: ICA stenosis, 3D ultrasound, B-flow, contrast agent, carotid EEA

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2009-1161

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 103-116, 2009

Authors: Yu, Zhui | Ouyang, Jing-Ping | Li, Yin-Ping

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Application of glucocorticoids in sepsis or severe infection is disputable in clinic. In this experiment, we studied the effect of dexamethasone on nitric oxide synthases and whether dexamethasone could attenuate endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI). SD rats received 5 mg/kg lipopolisaccharide (LPS) injection. Then arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2 ), lung histology, lung tissue nitric oxide (NO) production and expression of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) were detected at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 or 4 h after LPS injection. PaO2 and lung injury deteriorated upon time. Production of NO in lung tissue increased significantly particularly in the first two hours, …and this change was mainly due to the over-expression of inducible NOS (iNOS), but not endothelial NOS (eNOS). Furthermore, a tight positive correlation was observed between lung injury score (LIS) and NO production level in lung tissue. Dexamethasone could ameliorate PaO2 and lung damage evidently, which were paralleled by significant decreases in the production of NO and in the expression of iNOS mRNA. In conclusion, dexamethasone could effectively attenuate endotoxin-induced lung injury through inhibiting iNOS expression and activation in the very early stage of ALI. Show more

Keywords: Acute lung injury, inducible nitric oxide synthases, nitric oxide, dexamethasone

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2009-1162

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 117-125, 2009

Authors: Suemori, Tomohiko | Morimatsu, Hiroshi | Mizobuchi, Satoshi | Morita, Kiyoshi | Katanosaka, Yuki | Mohri, Satoshi | Naruse, Keiji

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Impaired deformability might contribute to the accumulation of activated leukocytes within pulmonary microcapillaries, leading to acute lung injury. The purpose of our study was to investigate changes in leukocyte deformability during periods of inflammation after esophagectomy. The study group comprised 20 patients who underwent esophagectomy. Changes in leukocyte deformability were investigated by examining filtration through a silicon microchannel, which simulated human pulmonary microcapillaries. Changes in the neutrophil cytoskeleton were investigated by measuring neutrophil F-actin assembly. The severity of patient clinical outcome was evaluated by the lung injury score. Leukocyte filtration through the microchannel was significantly weaker in esophagectomy patients than …in healthy subjects (p<0.01). After esophagectomy, filtration was further impaired compared with preoperative values (p<0.05). The neutrophil F-actin content was higher in patients than in controls (p<0.01), and increased after esophagectomy compared with preoperative values (p<0.01). We concluded that circulating leukocytes showed reduced deformability and appeared to be sequestered within microcapillaries after esophagectomy. Changes in neutrophil cytoskeleton were considered to be responsible for the reduced deformability. Leukocyte accumulation within pulmonary microcapillaries might be related to the pathogenesis of lung injury after esophagectomy. Show more

Keywords: Esophagectomy, lung injury, microchannel, cytoskeleton, F-actin

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2009-1164

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 127-136, 2009

Authors: Pusl, Thomas | Broedl, Uli C. | Parhofer, Klaus G. | Otto, Carsten

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Hemorheological abnormalities are independent cardiovascular risk indicators and adversely affect the outcome of cardiovascular disease. Single LDL apheresis treatment was shown to improve blood and plasma viscosity, red cell aggregation and deformability. However, the long-term effects of LDL apheresis on hemorheology are still unknown. Therefore, we investigated hemorheological parameters in 23 patients (11 women, 12 men) with angiographically established coronary heart disease and drug-resistant hypercholesterolemia regularly treated with LDL apheresis for 7.6±3.1 years. Hemorheological measurements (whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, red blood cell aggregation at stasis and low shear rate) were analyzed in all patients before and after the initial …LDL apheresis as well as before a current LDL apheresis. Single LDL apheresis resulted in significantly reduced plasma viscosity, whole blood viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation index. However, long-term apheresis had no sustained effect on plasma and whole blood viscosity. Our data indicate that in contrast to its beneficial short-term effects, long-term LDL apheresis does not stably improve hemorheology. Show more

Keywords: Blood viscosity, red cell aggregation, fibrinogen, lipid

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2009-1166

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 137-142, 2009

Authors: Awodu, O.A. | Famodu, A.A. | Ajayi, O.I. | Enosolease, M.E. | Olufemi, O.Y. | Olayemi, E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In a prospective study using standard methods, haemorheological parameters were assessed in 10 sickle cell anaemia patients in pain crises. Patients were investigated for possible changes in determinants of rheology in the course of painful episodes: blood samples were taken for plasma fibrinogen concentration (PFC); plasma viscosity (PV); haematocrit (Hct), whole blood viscosity (WBV) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) using standard methods. Samples were collected on presentation to the emergency unit and daily for 4 consecutive days. Whole blood viscosity and plasma fibrinogen concentration were significantly higher at onset of crises when compared with baseline values (p<0.01 and p<0.0001), …respectively. Plasma fibrinogen and blood viscosity peaked within 24 h of onset of crisis and started declining 48–72 h later. These parameters approached baseline values by the 4th day of painful crisis. There was no significant change in the haematocrit and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate during the period of painful crisis despite change in whole blood viscosity and fibrinogen. In conclusion, this study showed elevated haemorheological parameters in sickle cell anaemia patients in VOC, it also demonstrated an acute rise in these parameters at onset of crisis and a return to almost baseline levels within 96 h of onset of painful episodes. Show more

Keywords: Haemorheology, sickle cell, vaso-occlusive crisis

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2009-1167

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 143-148, 2009

Article Type: Correction

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2009-1188

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 149-149, 2009