Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 51, issue 3

Authors: Rossi, Marco | Nannipieri, Monica | Anselmino, Marco | Guarino, Daniela | Franzoni, Ferdinando | Pesce, Margherita

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Since recent findings suggest a relationship between reduction in adipose tissue blood flow (ATBF) and metabolic or vascular complications in obese patients (Ob-pts), increase in ATBF may be considered as a further goal in the treatment of obesity, besides fat mass reduction. Therefore, this preliminary study aimed at assess subcutaneous ATBF and vasomotion in morbidly obese patients and whether sustained weight loss induced by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) affects the same parameters. Using laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and spectral Fourier analysis, subcutaneous ATBF was measured and subcutaneous ATBF oscillations (ATBF-O) were analyzed – within three frequency intervals related to vasomotion – …in 16 Ob-pts, before and about one year after RYGB, and in 10 lean, healthy control subjects (CS). Before RYGB, Ob-Pts showed an important reduction in subcutaneous ATBF compared to CS (4.8 ± 2.7 PU vs 79.9 ± 34.5 PU, respectively; p < 0.0001), as well as higher normalized power spectral density (N-PSD) values of subcutaneous ATBF-O, - related to vasomotion. One year after RYGB, sustained weight loss in Ob-pts was associated with a slight but significant increase in subcutaneous ATBF (10.0 ± 6.6 PU, p < 0.05) and with almost complete normalization in N-PSD values of ATBF-O, related to vasomotion, compared to before RYGB. The slight subcutaneous ATBF increase, we observed in Ob-pts after sustained weight loss, moves toward a desirable goal. This finding suggests verifying whether an even more sustained weight loss in Ob-pts could determine a greater increase in subcutaneous ATBF and/or, more importantly, it could also determine a significant increase in visceral ATBF Show more

Keywords: Obesity, roux-en-Y gastric bypass, adipose tissue blood flow, blood flow oscillations, vasomotion, laser-Doppler flowmetry

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2011-1517

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 159-167, 2012

Authors: Yuvraj, V. | Indumathi, J. | Singh, M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Erythrocyte deformability and aggregation are important parameters related to blood flow in cardiovascular system. These are generally determined by various techniques. The present work is an attempt to implement a computerized procedure based on microscopic images of erythrocytes, obtained from cigarette smokers, to calculate these and related parameters. The subjects who have been smoking for more than ten years (Group 2) are selected and the calculated parameters are compared with that of non-smoking subjects (Group 1). The shape parameters area, perimeter and form factor of erythrocytes show significant change in Group 2 compared to that of Group 1. The erythrocyte …aggregation, as measured by area occupied by aggregates, shows significant reduction in smokers, attributed to enhanced cell-cell interaction in Group 2. The ratio of crenated to normal erythrocytes increases immediately after smoking but reverts back to initial level after a gap of more than one hour, which is attributed to the change in metabolic activity of erythrocytes. Show more

Keywords: Cigarette smoking, erythrocyte aggregation, deformability, shape descriptors

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2011-1522

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 169-175, 2012

Authors: Li, Yan-Chuan | Liu, Yu-Ying | Hu, Bai-He | Chang, Xin | Fan, Jing-Yu | Sun, Kai | Wei, Xiao-Hong | Pan, Chun-Shui | Huang, Ping | Chen, Yuan-Yuan | Wang, Chuan-She | Zheng, Jun | Han, Jing-Yan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: QiShen YiQi Pills® (QSYQ) is a compound Chinese medicine used for treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, the potential of QSYQ to inhibit cardiac fibrosis in left ventricle hypertrophy is not explored to date. We investigated the effects of post-treatment with QSYQ on rat myocardial fibrosis in left ventricle hypertrophy induced by pressure over-load through ascending aortic stenosis. QSYQ was administrated 4 weeks after the surgery, at a dose of 0.8 g/kg/day over the next 4 weeks, while echocardiography was performed 4 and 8 weeks, respectively, after the surgery. Eight weeks after the surgery, myocardial blood flow was determined by …Laser-Doppler Perfusion Imager and the ratio of heart weight to body weight (HW/BW) was estimated, in concurrent evaluation of myocardial histology and ultrastructure, as well as collagen content by sirius red staining, and immunohistochemistry staining for CD68 and transforming growth factor beta 1. Post-treatment with QSYQ significantly alleviated left ventricular posterior wall end diastolic thickness and the HW/BW, increased left ventricle ejection fraction and left ventricle fractional shortening. QSYQ also decreased myocardial fibrosis size. The expression of CD68 and transforming growth factor beta 1 were obviously suppressed after QSYQ treatment. The results suggest that post-treatment with QSYQ attenuates pressure over-load-induced cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis through interfering in inflammatory process. Show more

Keywords: Pressure overload, cardiac fibrosis, salvia miltiorrhiza, transforming growth factor beta 1

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2011-1523

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 177-191, 2012

Authors: Messonnier, Laurent | Samb, Abdoulaye | Tripette, Julien | Gogh, Bertin Doubi | Loko, Gylna | Sall, Niama Diop | Féasson, Léonard | Hue, Olivier | Lamothe, Sandrine | Bogui, Pascal | Connes, Philippe

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study tested the hypothesis that trained sickle cell trait (SCT) carriers are not subjected to greater risk of rhabdomyolysis or renal failure in response to moderate submaximal exercise than subjects with normal hemoglobin (CONT). Blood markers in 11 trained SCT carriers and 12 control counterparts were measured before and after 40 min of exercise at 55% of peak power output (Ppeak) conducted in thermoneutral environment. Body weights decreased with exercise in the same proportion in the two groups (from 65.1 ± 7.0 kg to 64.1 ± 7.0 kg and from 70.2 ± 6.6 to 68.6 ± 6.6 kg at …the end of exercise in SCT and CONT, respectively). Heart rate and rectal temperature increased in the two groups in response to exercise, but the groups remained closely matched. Serum urea, CRP, CK and LDH were similar in the two groups and remained unchanged in response to exercise. Creatinine, Na+ , K+ , Cl− and myoglobin concentrations increased above baseline in response to exercise, with changes of the same magnitude in the two groups. In summary, the results of the present study suggest that moderate submaximal exercise is not unsafe from a biochemical point of view for sportsmen carrying SCT. Show more

Keywords: Hemoglobinopathy, biochemical markers, endurance exercise, muscle damage, renal function

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2011-1524

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 193-202, 2012

Authors: Lee, Byoung-Kwon | Ko, Jae-yong | Lim, Hyun-jung | Nam, Jeong-Hun | Shin, Sehyun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Recent electrical investigation of hemorheology provided useful information on the kinetics of red blood cell (RBC) aggregation. However, because of the inconsistent results in the electrical measurements, we need to understand the electrical characteristics of RBC aggregation at various flow conditions. In the present study, AC electrical-capacitance (EC) and -impedance (EI) and light backscattering (LB) were simultaneously measured for transient shear-decreasing blood flow in a microchannel. EI, EC and LB signals of RBCs in plasma show similar time-varying curves, both yielding either a peak or a minimal point in the optimal frequency range (10∼500 kHz). Critical shear stress (CSS) determined …from EC showed the nearly same results as that determined from LB, with yielding hematocrits-independence and dextran-concentration dependence. However, the high concentration of fibrinogen caused electrical saturation, which resulted in different results of CSS determined from between LB and EC. These results suggest that electrical properties of RBC suspensions should be further examined to replace the optical method of measurement of RBC aggregation. Show more

Keywords: RBC, aggregation, electrical, capacitance, critical time, critical shear stress

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2011-1526

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 203-212, 2012

Authors: Turek, Zdenek | Lehmann, Christian | Parizkova, Renata | Samek, Jindrich | Kaska, Milan | Cerny, Vladimir

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effects of intravenous anesthetics on hepatosplanchnic microcirculation in laparotomized mechanically ventilated rats using Sidestream Dark-field (SDF) imaging. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 6 each). All rats were initially anesthetized with 60 mg/kg pentobarbital (i.p.) for instrumentation. This was followed by either ketamine, propofol, thiopental, midazolam or saline+fentanyl (iv bolus over 5 min and then maintenance over 90 min). SDF imaging of the liver and distal ileum microcirculation was performed at the baseline and at t = 5, 35, 65 and 95 min. In propofol group there was increase …of functional sinusoidal density (FSD) following induction (+25%, P < 0.05) and maintenance at t = 95 min (+10.3%, P < 0.05), in ketamine and midazolam group decrease of FSD was observed after induction (−20.4%, P < 0.05; −10.1%, P < 0.05) and during maintenance at t = 65 min (−11.6%, P < 0.05; −11.4%, P < 0.05) when compared to baseline. Following induction with propofol functional capillary density (FCD) of ileal longitudinal muscle layer increased (+10.6%, P < 0.05) and returned to baseline values during maintenance. Ketamine and midazolam decreased FCD of longitudinal layer after induction (−24.6%, P < 0.05; −21.1%, P < 0.05) and remained decreased during maintenance at t = 95 min (−10.8%, P < 0.05; −15.5%, P < 0.05). In thiopental and control group, changes in microcirculatory parameters were not significant throughout the study. In conclusion, intravenous anesthetics affect the hepatosplanchnic microcirculation differentially, propofol has shown protective effect on the liver and intestinal microcirculation. Show more

Keywords: Intravenous anesthetics, hepatosplanchnic microcirculation, SDF imaging

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2011-1527

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 213-223, 2012

Authors: Vayá, Amparo | Miguel De la Fuente, José | Suescun, Marta | España, Enrique | Ricart, José M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: It is not well established whether there is an association among common inherited gene defects, Factor V (FV) Leiden, the prothrombin (PT) G20210A mutation, C677T methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and ocular Behçet's disease (BD). We aimed to evaluate the association of these mutations with posterior ocular involvement in 89 BD patients from eastern Spain (48 men and 41 women) of whom 23 had posterior ocular involvement and 66 did not. None of the 23 BD patients with posterior ocular involvement was a carrier of either FV Leiden or the PTG20210A mutation. Only 1 patient was a carrier of the 677TT …MTHFR mutation, whereas 4 patients carried FV Leiden, 3 the PTG20210A mutation and 10 the 677TT MTHFR mutation in the group without posterior ocular involvement (p = 0.227, p = 0.556, p = 0.144), respectively. In our geographical area, the commonest thrombophilic mutations do not seem to be related with posterior ocular involvement in BD patients. Show more

Keywords: Behçet's disease, posterior ocular involvement, factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A mutation, C677T MTHFR mutation

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2012-1548

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 225-228, 2012

Authors: Lamarre, Yann | Petres, Stéphane | Hardy-Dessources, Marie-Dominique | Sinnapah, Stéphane | Romana, Marc | Laurance, Sandrine | Lemonne, Nathalie | Gysin, Jürg | Connes, Philippe

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Pregnancy in sickle cell disease (SCD) has been associated with increased complications such as vaso-occlusive crises, severe anemia and foetal loss. It has been proposed that the sickling of red blood cells (RBCs) inside the placenta circulation could participate to these complications. The present study investigated the adhesion of sickle RBCs on human trophoblast-derived cell and its extracellular matrix. Results demonstrated 1) similar adhesion of sickle RBCs and healthy RBCs to trophoblast but 2) a greater adhesion of sickle RBCs to the extracellular matrix of trophoblasts as compared with healthy RBCs. This greater adhesion could partly involve the Lu/BCAM glycoproteins …and could participate to the complications reported in SCD pregnant women. Show more

Keywords: Sickle red cells, flow adhesion, pregnancy complications

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2011-1525

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 229-234, 2012