Influence of myocardial infarction on membrane structure and hemorheological characteristics of erythrocytes

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kanakaraj, P. | Singh, Megha

Affiliations: Biomedical Engineering Division, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, 600 036, India

Note: [] Accepted by: Editor J.A. Dormandy

Abstract: The changes in erythrocytes composition and hemorheological parameters are studied in myocardial infarction (MI) patients. The study shows that cholesterol, phospholipids and c/p ratio in erythrocytes are increased in MI patients when compared to that of’ normals. The individual phospholipid composition is also altered with increase of phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin in plasma, and phosphatidylcholine in erythrocytes. There is no significant change in protein composition except a significant decrease in sialic acid content of cell. The membrane enzymes such as Na+ , K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ,Mg2+ ATPase are decreased and there is no change in cytosolic calmodulin stimulatory activity observed. Whole blood viscosity and osmotic fragility are increased. The deformability of erythrocytes is significantly decreased.

Keywords: Myocardial infarction, proteins, lipids, viscosity, deformability, osmotic fragility

DOI: 10.3233/CH-1989-9208

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 257-271, 1989