Optical analysis of red blood cell sediment formation

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Mutrynowska, J. | Grzegorzewski, B.

Affiliations: Department of Biophysics, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 85-067 Bydgoszcz, Poland

Note: [] Address for correspondence: B. Grzegorzewski, Department of Biophysics, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, ul. Jagiellonska 15, 85-067 Bydgoszcz, Poland. Tel.: +48 52 5853407; Fax: +48 52 5853675; E-mail: grzego@cm.umk.pl.

Abstract: The red blood cell (RBC) sediment formation was studied using an optical method. The intensity of light transmitted through the blood sample was measured as a function of time and distance from the bottom of the sample. Blood was obtained from healthy donors and measurements were performed at initial hematocrits ranging from 30 to 50%. Sedimentation curves and time dependence of the intensity averaged along the height of the RBC suspension were determined to give a cumulative description of the process. Detailed analysis of the transmitted light intensity revealed a moving interface between sedimenting RBC aggregates and the forming of a deposit of the cells. It was shown that although there is no discontinuity in the intensity an averaged interface can be found. A novel curve describing the sedimentation process called the deposit formation curve was found. Below this curve a formation of the RBC deposit occurs. Firstly, this curve represents the position of the interface between sedimenting RBC aggregates and a forming deposit, secondly this curve coincides with the last part of the sedimentation curve.

Keywords: RBC sedimentation, RBC sediment formation, RBC aggregation

Journal: Biorheology, vol. 44, no. 4, pp. 285-297, 2007