Affiliations: Institute of Rheological Function of Foods Co. Ltd., Kubara 2241‐1, Hisayama‐cho, Kasuya‐gun, Fukuoka 811‐2501, Japan | The First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3‐1‐1, Higashi‐ku, Fukuoka 812‐8582, Japan | Institute of Health Science, Kyushu University, Kasugakoen 6‐1, Kasuga 816‐0811, Japan | Department of Physiology, Nippon Medical School, Sendagi 1‐1‐5, Bunkyo‐ku, Tokyo 113‐0022, Japan
Note: [] Correspondence to: Jun‐ichi Ejima, M.D., The First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3‐1‐1, Higashi‐ku, Fukuoka 812‐8582, Japan. Tel.: +81 92 642 5235; Fax: +81 92 642 5247.
Abstract: The deformability of red blood cells (RBCs) is an important rheologic factor in the maintenance of normal blood flow in the microcirculation. Contrary to the well‐known relationship between hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis, the relationship between RBC rheology and the serum lipid profile has remained controversial and obscure. Moreover, the correlation of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol and RBC deformability has not been fully understood. In the present cross‐sectional study of 139 apparently healthy subjects, we investigated whole‐cell deformability (filterability) of RBCs in relation to the lipid profile, using a nickel mesh filter with 3.2‐\mum pores. RBC filterability was independent of gender, age and serum levels of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol. The filterability was significantly proportional to the HDL‐cholesterol values (r={}0.382, p<{}0.01), whereas it was inversely proportional to the triglyceride levels (r=-0.259, p<{}0.01). These findings may provide new insight into the role of HDL‐cholesterol not only in preventing atherosclerotic progression but also in improving RBC filterability.
Keywords: Red blood cells, filterability, HDL‐cholesterol, LDL‐cholesterol, microcirculation
