Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 60, issue 2

Authors: Słoczyńska, Karolina | Kózka, Mariusz | Marona, Henryk

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We hypothesize that heterogeneity in RBC rheology can be attributed not only to the aging process but also to various disease states. The present study aims at investigating the rheological properties of young and old RBC in chronic venous disease (CVD) patients. RBC were separated on the basis of their density. RBC rheology was assessed with Laser Optical Rotational Cell Analyzer. For medium and high shear stress elongation index (EI) of young RBC from CVD patients was significantly higher than of young cells from controls. The same was observed for the old cells. Threshold shear rate (THR) of young RBC …from CVD patients was significantly higher than of young cells from controls indicating a decreased tendency towards the formation of aggregates and of their stability in CVD patients. The same situation was observed for the old cells. To sum up, the present study demonstrated that heterogeneity in RBC rheology is both affected by age and CVD. Additionally, CVD-induced changes in RBC rheology occur to different degrees among the subpopulations of young and old RBC. CVD patients subpopulations of RBC had higher deformability and increased tendency towards aggregates formation and of their stability when compared to appropriate subpopulations of controls. Show more

Keywords: Aggregation, deformability, chronic venous disease, red blood cells

DOI: 10.3233/CH-131715

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 171-178, 2015

Authors: Isik-Balci, Yasemin | Tancer-Elci, Hazal | Bor-Kucukatay, Melek | Kilic-Erkek, Ozgen | Kilic-Toprak, Emine | Senol, Hande | Rota, Simin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effects of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and vitamin B12 deficiency coexisting with IDA which is called as mixed anemia (MA) on hemorheological parameters, to compare them with each other and healthy controls, and to assess the changes in hemorheological parameters after treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 32 IDA patients (mean age:6.3 ± 5.3 years), 30 MA patients (mean age:7.2 ± 5.4 years), and 31 healthy controls (mean age:7.1 ± 5.2 years) were enrolled. Erythrocyte deformability and aggregation were determined by an ectacytometer, plasma and whole blood viscosities by a cone-plate …rotational viscometer. Differences between IDA and MA, and healthy controls were compared. Hemorheological parameters were repeated in the patient groups after treatment and compared with the initial results. RESULTS: In both of the patient groups, erythrocyte deformability, whole blood and plasma viscosities were found to be significantly decreased before treatment, compared with the controls. After treatment these parameters were found to be increased significantly. There were no significant differences in these parameters between the IDA and MA group. Additionally, no statistically significant alteration was found in erythrocyte aggregation measurements of both patient groups. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that IDA and MA have similar effects on hemorheological parameters. When vitamin B12 deficiency accompanies IDA which is called as MA, no further alterations occur in hemorheological parameters. The adequate treatment of these anemias not only corrects the hematological parameters, but also by helping to normalize the hemorheological parameters, may contribute to the regulation of microvascular perfusion. Show more

Keywords: Iron deficiency anemia, mixed anemia, erythrocyte deformability, erythrocyte aggregation, viscosity

DOI: 10.3233/CH-141811

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 179-189, 2015

Authors: Kilic-Toprak, Emine | Yapici, Ayşegül | Kilic-Erkek, Ozgen | Koklu, Yusuf | Tekin, Volkan | Alemdaroglu, Utku | Bor-Kucukatay, Melek

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In the present study, we investigated possible alterations in red blood cell (RBC) deformability, plasma and whole blood viscosities (WBV) and hematological parameters in response to Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-YoIR1) which is currently used to assess endurance performance, in female volleyball players. Eight volleyball player volunteers from Pamukkale University (mean age19,9 ± 2,2 years; mean body height 177.5 ± 1.99 cm; mean body mass index 21.66 ± 0.64 kg/m2 ) participated to the study. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after test. Red blood cell (RBC) deformability was determined by ektacytometer, plasma and whole blood viscosities (WBV) by …a cone-plate rotational viscometer. Hematological parameters were determined using an electronic hematology analyzer. The Yo-YoIR1 applied, induced acute increments in WBV at native hematocrit (Hct) measured at a shear rate of 150 s−1 and 375 s−1 , RBC deformability and WBC count. The results of the current study indicate that, the Yo-Yo IR1 test used to determine physical capacity of the player, by resulting in increments in RBC deformability contributes blood flow and thus, athletic performance of the individual. Show more

Keywords: Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-YoIR1), exercise, erythrocyte deformability, viscosity

DOI: 10.3233/CH-141844

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 191-199, 2015

Authors: White, Jennell | Lancelot, Moira | Sarnaik, Sharada | Hines, Patrick

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by microvascular occlusion mediated by adhesive interactions of sickle erythrocytes (SSRBCs) to the endothelium. Most in vitro flow adhesion assays measure SSRBC adhesion during continuous flow, although in vivo SSRBC adhesive interactions occur during pulsatile flow. Using a well-plate microfluidic flow adhesion system, we demonstrate that isolated SSRBCs adhere to vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) at greater levels during pulsatile versus continuous flow. A significant increase in adhesive interactions was observed between all pulse frequencies 1 Hz to 2 Hz (60–120 beats/min) when compared to non-pulsatile flow. Adhesion of isolated SSRBCs and whole blood …during pulsatile flow was unaffected by protein kinase A (PKA) inhibition, and exposure of SSRBCs to pulsatile flow did not affect the intrinsic adhesive properties of SSRBCs. The cell type responsible for increased adhesion of whole blood varied from patient to patient. We conclude that low flow periods of the pulse cycle allow more adhesive interactions between sickle erythrocytes and VCAM-1, and sickle erythrocyte adhesion in the context of whole blood may better reflect physiologic cellular interactions. The microfluidic flow adhesion bioassay used in this study may have applications for clinical assessment of sickle erythrocyte adhesion during pulsatile flow. Show more

Keywords: Pulsatile flow, variable shear, microfluidics, adhesion, sickle cell disease, VCAM-1, VLA-4, erythrocyte

DOI: 10.3233/CH-141847

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 201-213, 2015

Authors: Grau, Marijke | Friederichs, Petra | Krehan, Sebastian | Koliamitra, Christina | Suhr , Frank | Bloch, Wilhelm

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: During storage, red blood cells (RBC) become more susceptible to hemolysis and it has also been shown that RBC deformability, which is influenced by RBC nitric oxide synthase (RBC-NOS) activity, decreases during blood storage while a correlation between these two parameters under storage conditions has not been investigated so far. Therefore, blood from 15 male volunteers was anticoagulated, leuko-reduced and stored as either concentrated RBC or RBC diluted in saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol (SAGM) for eight weeks at 4°C and results were compared to data obtained from freshly drawn blood. During storage, decrease of RBC deformability was related to increased mean cellular volume …and increased cell lysis but also to a decrease in RBC-NOS activation. The changes were more pronounced in concentrated RBC than in RBC diluted in SAGM suggesting that the storage method affects the quality of blood. These data shed new light on mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of storage lesion and reveal that RBC-NOS activation and possibly nitric oxide production in RBC are key elements that are influenced by storage and in turn alter deformability. Further studies should therefore also focus on improving these parameters during storage to improve the quality of stored blood with respect to blood transfusion. Show more

Keywords: Red blood cell nitric oxide synthase, deformability, blood storage, SAGM

DOI: 10.3233/CH-141850

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 215-229, 2015

Authors: Wu, Qingbin | Jing, Yingli | Yuan, Xiaochen | Li, Bingwei | Wang, Bing | Liu, Mingming | Li, Hongwei | Xiu, Ruijuan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Pericytes are contractile cells that wrap around the endothelial cells of capillaries throughout the body. They play an important role in regulating the blood brain barrier (BBB) and blood spinal cord barrier (BSCB). The differences between brain and spinal cord microvascular endothelial cells have been investigated. However, no report has elucidated the similarities and differences between brain microvasular pericytes (BMPs) and spinal cord microvascular pericytes (SCMPs) in vitro . The similarities were found between the two types of pericytes not only in the proliferation ability but also in the expression of toll like receptor 4. On the other hand, BMPs …showed more than 2 fold in tubular length formation compared with SCMPs. The number of migratory SCMPs was larger than that of migratory BMPs. The expressions of connexin 43 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in BMPs were increased compared with those in SCMPs, while SCMPs expressed more desmin and N-cadherin than BMPs. The abilities of tube-formation and migration between BMPs and SCMPs were markedly different, which might be mediated by VEGF, connexin 43, N-cadherin and desmin. These distinguishing features may reflect the more widespread differences between the BBB and BSCB which directly impact pathophysiological processes in various major diseases. Show more

Keywords: Brain microvasular pericytes, Brain microvasular pericytes, blood brain barrier, blood spinal cord barrier, central nervous system

DOI: 10.3233/CH-141856

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 231-240, 2015

Authors: Chanda, Makamas | Nantakomol, Duangdao | Suksom, Daroonwan | Palasuwan, Attakorn

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Glucose-6-phospate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient cells are sensitive to oxidative damage leading to the formation of microparticles (MPs). Therefore, we examined the concentration of MPs and changes in the antioxidant balance after an acute strenuous exercise (SEx) and moderate-intensity exercise (MEx). Eighteen healthy females (18–24 years) with G6PD normal and eighteen age-matched females with G6PD Viangchan (871G>A) were tested by running on a treadmill at their maximal oxygen uptake for SEx and at 75% of their maximal heart rate for MEx. It was found that SEx triggered the release of total microparticles (TTMPs) above baseline levels and remained significantly higher 45 …minutes after the exercise in G6PD normal individuals. However, SEx-induced increase in TTMPs was significantly higher in G6PD Viangchan as compared to G6PD normal. In contrast, MEx did not to alter the release of TTMPs in both G6PD normal and Viangchan. Moreover, TTMPs concentrations were inversely correlated with G6PD activity (r  =−0.82, P  <  0.05) but positively correlated with MDA concentrations (r  = 0.74, P  <  0.05). Using cell specific antibodies, we determined that MPs were mainly derived from platelets and erythrocytes. Altogether, the present study indicates that G6PD Viangchan may participate in MEx without higher MPs concentration and oxidative stress compared with G6PD normal. Show more

Keywords: G6PD, antioxidant status, oxidative stress

DOI: 10.3233/CH-141865

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 241-251, 2015

Authors: Richter, Torsten | Bergmann, Ralf | Pietzsch, Jens | Mueller, Michael Patrick | Koch, Thea

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Gastric aspiration events are recognized as a major cause of pneumonitis and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The first peak in the inflammatory response has been observed one hour after acid-induced lung injury in rats. The spatial pulmonary blood flow (PBF) distribution after an acid aspiration event within this time frame has not been adequately studied. We determined therefore PBF pattern within the first hour after acid aspiration. METHODS: Anesthetized, spontaneous breathing rats (n  = 8) underwent unilateral endobronchial hydrochlorid acid instillation so that the PBF distributions between the injured and non-injured lungs …could be compared. The signal intensity of the lung parenchyma after injury was measured by magnetic resonance tomography. PBF distribution was determined by measuring the concentration of [68 Ga]-radiolabeled microspheres using positron emission tomography. RESULTS: Following acid aspiration, magnetic resonance images revealed increased signal intensity in the injured regions accompanied by reduced oxygenation. PBF was increased in all injured lungs (171 [150; 196], median [25%; 75%]) compared to the blood flow in all uninjured lungs (141 [122; 159], P  = 0.0078). CONCLUSIONS: From the first minute until fifty minutes after acid-induced acute lung injury, the PBF was consistently increased in the injured lung. These blood flow elevation was accompanied by significant hypoxemia. Show more

Keywords: Acute lung injury, respiratory aspiration, positron emission tomography, pulmonary blood flow, magnetic resonance imaging

DOI: 10.3233/CH-141867

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 253-262, 2015