Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 24, issue 1

Authors: Tomita, Yutaka | Tanahashi, Norio | Tomita, Minoru | Itoh, Yoshiaki | Yokoyama, Masako | Takeda, Hidetaka | , Istvan | Fukuuchi, Yasuo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Intravascular thrombus formation downstream of cerebral arterial occlusion may result in necrosis of ischemic tissue. To clarify the causative mechanisms, interaction between adenosine‐5′ ‐diphosphate (ADP)‐activated platelets and cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) was examined by employing video enhanced contrast‐differential interference contrast (VEC‐DIC) microscopy. The numbers of (1) control/platelets, (2) ADP‐activated platelets, (3) ADP‐activated, anti‐platelet GP Ibα antibody (GUR20‐5)‐treated platelets, and (4) ADP‐activated, platelet GP IIb/IIIa antagonist (TAK‐029)‐treated platelets, associated with HAEC after superfusion and wash‐out were counted in visual fields of 30×30 μm2 . Many ADP‐activated platelets adhered to HAEC directly, while almost no platelets adhered to HAEC in …the control. The adhesion was almost completely blocked by the GP IIb/IIIa antagonist, but not by GP Ibα antibody. We conclude that initial binding of ADP‐activated platelets to HAEC is mediated by platelet GP IIb/IIIa in this in vitro system. Show more

Keywords: ADP, platelet, endothelial cell, VEC microscopy, adhesion, GP IIb/IIIa

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 1-9, 2001

Authors: Baerlocher, G.M. | Meiselman, H.J. | Reinhart, W.H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Filtration of red blood cells (RBC) through columns of pre‐swollen agarose‐based beads has been evaluated using cells from subjects with sickle cell disease. Elution profiles from these gels showed elution times close to normal controls for a large fraction of sickle erythrocytes and a prolonged elution time for a sub‐population of these cells. Analysis of red blood cell deformability using a computerized micropore filtration system (CTA) indicated that the deformability of sickle red blood cells in the first fraction was similar to controls but that the last fraction contained a sub‐population of rigid RBC. We thus conclude that sickle red …blood cell separation in columns of agarose‐based beads is based upon cell deformability. Gel filtration therefore appears to be an interesting tool for the study of red blood cells in a variety of disorders with sub‐populations of rigid, abnormal cells, and seems especially suited for studies in various sickle cell diseases. Show more

Keywords: Deformability, gel filtration, sickle cell disease, erythrocyte

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 11-18, 2001

Authors: Chunyi, Wang | Yanjun, Zeng | Weibo, Ka

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: After rabbit's erythrocytes were treated with different concentrations of intercellular Ca2+ and ionophore A23187 respectively, the orientation index (DI)or and small deformation index (DI)d of rabbit erythrocytes were measured by new model ektacytometry. The results demonstrated that (DI)or and (DI)d decreased while the concentration of intercellular Ca2+ or ionophore A23187 increased. Suggesting that the deformability of erythrocytes was reduced after treatment with intercellular Ca2+ or ionophore A23187. Furthermore, the effect of ionophore A23187 on the microrheology of erythrocytes is more notable than that of intercellular Ca2+ .

Keywords: New model ektacytometry, calcium ions, ionophore A23187, erythrocyte deformation

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 19-23, 2001

Authors: Cicco, G. | Carbonara, M.C. | Stingi, G.D. | Pirrelli, A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Hypertension can be considered as a progressive ischaemic syndrome interesting micro‐ and macrovasculature. In hypertensives it is possible to observe a link between an increase in peripheral resistance and blood viscosity, and a decrease in red blood cell (RBC) deformability. It is important to underline the link between the increase of blood viscosity, the decrease of RBC deformability and the cytosolic calcium level, which is related to the ischaemic syndrome in hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of Ca++ and its possible correlation with hemorheological patterns during arterial hypertension. Two …groups were studied: Group 1 consisted of 18 mild hypertensives (11 males and 7 pre‐menopausal females, aged 39±3 years). This group was of medium risk according to WHO and ISH (1999) with no other pathologies apart from peripheral occlusive arterial disease II stage type A. Group 2 was made up of 14 healthy subjects (9 males and 5 females, aged 34±4 years). The intraerythrocytic cytosolic calcium was evaluated using a fluorescent marker FURA 2/AM (Calbiochem). The following hemorheological parameters were also assessed using the new Laser assisted Optical Rotational Red Cell Analyzer (LORCA) according to the Hardeman method (1994): RBC deformability – Elongation Index (EI), RBC aggregability – aggregation half time (t½). The data obtained showed that compared to the control group the hypertensives had a significantly higher level of intraerythrocytic cytosolic calcium (p<0.01), plus a significant decrease in EI and t½ evaluated using LORCA. We also observed a significant correlation (p<0.01) between an increase in Ca++ and a decrease in EI in the hypertensive patients. Moreover our study revealed a significant correlation between the increase in intraerythrocytic Ca++ and the t½ decrease. The evaluation of the hemorheological patterns and cytosolic calcium could explain the impairment in peripheral perfusion and oxygenation in hypertensive patients and could provide a good model for a better evaluation and treatment of microvasculature perfusion in subjects with essential and complicated hypertension. Show more

Keywords: Hemorheology, cytosolic calcium, hypertension, LORCA

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 25-31, 2001

Authors: Késmárky, G. | Tóth, K. | Vajda, G. | Habon, L. | Halmosi, R. | Rőth, E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a frequently used method in the treatment of coronary artery disease. Coronary stenosis, endothelial injury, and ischemia‐reperfusion caused by the balloon inflation and deflation during this procedure can cause several changes in blood flow. In our study 19 patients (mean age: 58±9 years) undergoing PTCA were examined. For the laboratory measurements several blood samples were taken from the femoral vein and the coronary sinus before and 30 minutes after PTCA, and from the cubital vein 1, 2, 5 days and 1, 6 months after PTCA. Among hemorheologic parameters hematocrit, plasma fibrinogen level, plasma and …whole blood viscosities were measured and corrected blood viscosity value was calculated. To characterize the oxidative stress, samples were analyzed for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of blood as a marker of lipidperoxidation and changes in the antioxidant system were investigated by measuring the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and the concentration of glutathione; superoxide generating capacity of isolated leukocytes and platelet aggregation were examined as markers of cellular activation. Plasma fibrinogen concentration increased markedly during the first and second day after PTCA (p<0.001), which was accompanied by the elevation of plasma viscosity (p<0.05). Plasma fibrinogen returned to the baseline at the one‐month check‐up visit, but there was a significant increase in its concentration by the end of the sixth month follow‐up. Apparent whole blood viscosity at 90 s−1 showed gradually increasing values up to the one‐ and six‐month check‐up visits (p<0.01), which can partially be explained by the elevation of hematocrit. Corrected blood viscosity was significantly elevated on the fifth day already (p<0.01), and one month later also. Superoxide production of leukocytes showed an increasing tendency (p=0.05), and blood TBARS was elevated after one day (p<0.05) and remained higher during the following days. Catalase activity showed significantly increasing values (p<0.01) during the hospital phase, then at the end of the first month. SOD activity and spontaneous platelet aggregation were higher in the samples from the coronary sinus than in those from the peripheral vein before the procedure; 30 minutes after PTCA increased levels in the peripheral sample were found (p<0.01). Our findings indicate that PTCA may cause significant changes in the hemorheologic and free radical associated parameters, which can affect the final outcome of this intervention. Show more

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 33-41, 2001

Authors: Pepple, D.J. | Hardeman, M.R. | Mullings, A.M. | Reid, H.L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: One of the features of preeclampsia is impaired blood rheology due to altered erythrocyte aggregation and erythrocyte deformability. We investigated these two parameters which affect the viscosity of blood, along with serum and intraerythrocytic magnesium concentrations, immunoglobulin titres and fibrinogen concentration in 12 preeclamptic women. Eighteen (18) other non‐preeclamptic, gestation‐matched women acted as controls. Erythrocyte deformability, expressed as elongation index (EI), and erythrocyte aggregation expressed as aggregation half‐time (t½) were measured with the Laser‐assisted Optical Rotational Cell Analyser (LORCA). Serum and intraerythrocytic magnesium concentrations were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry, immunoglobulin titres by radial immunodiffusion and fibrinogen concentration by a …clot weight technique. There was no statistically significant difference in these parameters between preeclamptics and controls suggesting that erythrocyte deformability and aggregation as well as serum and intraerythrocytic concentrations, fibrinogen levels and immunoglobulin titres are not altered in preeclampsia. Further investigations are required in severe preeclampsia and in preeclamptic women taking magnesium sulphate supplement. Show more

Keywords: Erythrocyte deformability, erythrocyte aggregation, aggregation half‐time, elongation index, preeclampsia

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 43-48, 2001

Authors: Acciavatti, A. | Laghi Pasini, F. | Capecchi, P.L. | Messa, G.L. | Lazzerini, P.E. | De Giorgi, L. | Acampa, M. | Di Perri, T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The acute (0.57 μg/kg i.v. in 2 hours) and long‐term (0.57 μg/kg i.v. in 2 hours for 5 days over 4 weeks) effects of the PGE1 analogue alprostadil were studied in patients affected with intermittent claudication. Whole Blood Viscosity (WBV), Whole Blood Filterability (WBF), haematocrit (Htc) and fibrinogen plasma concentration, were studied together with P50, 2,3‐diphosphoglycerate, and adenosine plasma levels. Moreover, in the long‐term study, pain‐free (PFWD) and maximal walking distance (MWD) were measured. Single alprostadil infusion induced an improvement in WBV, WBF, and oxygen transport, and an increase in adenosine plasma levels. Long‐term alprostadil administration produced a …decrease in WBV only, without significant changes in WBF, Htc, fibrinogen, P50, 2,3‐diphosphoglycerate, also inducing a significant prolongation of PFWD and MWD. The possibility is suggested that pulse rises in adenosine plasma levels play a role in the effects of chronic alprostadil administration, maybe in a way similar to that observed in the phenomenon of ischaemic preconditioning. Show more

Keywords: Alprostadil, adenosine, haemorheology, oxygen transport, ischaemia

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 49-57, 2001

Authors: Vekasi, J. | Marton, Zs. | Kesmarky, G. | Cser, A. | Russai, R. | Horvath, B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Hemorheological factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of different cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes mellitus resulting in micro‐ and macroangiopathies is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. In our present study the hemorheological parameters (hematocrit, plasma fibrinogen level, plasma and whole blood viscosity, red blood cell aggregation) of 30 diabetic patients (mean age: 57±12 years) and 30 healthy volunteers (mean age: 31±10 years) were examined. The fundus appearance of patients showed diabetic retinopathy; non‐proliferative stage in 22 cases, preproliferative or proliferative stage in 8 cases. The measured hemorheological parameters of the examined patients were in the …pathological range and were significantly higher than those of healthy volunteers (hematocrit: p<0.01; plasma fibrinogen: p<0.001; plasma viscosity: p<0.01; whole blood viscosity: p<0.001; red blood cell aggregation: p<0.01). In our study there was not significant difference in the hemorheologic variables of patients with different stages of retinopathy. Our results propose the importance of hemorheologic factors in the development of diabetic microangiopathy. Show more

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 59-64, 2001