Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 40, issue 3

Authors: Birnbaum, Jürgen | Klotz, Edda | Spies, Claudia D. | Hein, Ortrud Vargas | Mallin, Katja | Kawka, Renata | Ziemer, Sabine | Lehmann, Christian

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The study's objective was to determine the effects of the administration of combinations of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) with coagulation factor XIII (F XIII) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) with tirilazad mesylate (TM) on leukocyte adherence and on intestinal functional capillary density during experimental endotoxemia in rats. In a prospective, randomized, controlled animal study, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 (CON group) served as control group. Group 2 (LPS group), group 3 (C1-INH+F XIII group) and group 4 (NAC+TM group) received endotoxin infusions (10 mg/kg/h for 2 h). In C1-INH+F XIII group, 100 U/kg b.w. C1-INH and …50 U/kg b.w. F XIII were administered after the first 30 min of endotoxemia. In the NAC+TM group, 150 mg/kg b.w. N-acetylcysteine and 10 mg/kg b.w. Tirilazad mesylate were administered after 30 min of endotoxemia. Leukocyte adherence at venules of the intestinal submucosal layer and functional capillary density in the villi intestinales and in the longitudinal and circular muscle layers were estimated by intravital fluorescence microscopy (IVM). C1-INH+F XIII reduced the count of firmly adherent leukocytes that was increased after LPS administration in the V3 venules (CON group 69 (17–160)/mm2 ; LPS group 635 (556–814)/mm2 ; C1-INH+F XIII group 503 (337–646)/mm2 ). NAC+TM reduced the firmly adherent leukocytes in the V3 venules (NAC+TM group 403 (309–572)/mm2 ) and in the V1 venules (CON group 55 (16–131)/mm2 ; LPS group 368 (306–475)/mm2 ; NAC+TM group 270 (216–308)/mm2 ) as well. FCD was not impaired after LPS challenge and there was no influence of both combinations on the FCD. We conclude that both drug combinations can reduce the leukocyte adherence in a sepsis model in rats. Show more

Keywords: Endotoxin, rat, F XIII, C1-INH, NAC, tirilazad mesylate, intravital microscopy, intestine, leukocyte adherence, perfusion

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1127

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 167-176, 2008

Authors: Furka, A. | Nemeth, N. | Gulyas, A. | Brath, E. | Peto, K. | Takacs, I.E. | Furka, I. | Sapy, P. | Miko, I.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In liver resection operations the Pringle (Baron) maneuver can be used for temporary ischemia by clamping the hepatoduodenal ligament intermittently. In this beagle canine model we investigated whether hemorheological parameters may alter in systemic, portal and hepatic venous blood and in arterial samples during–after Pringle maneuvers. In Pringle Group unilateral femoral artery and external jugular vein were cannulated. From median laparotomy the hepatoduodenal ligament was exposed. The portal venous system was catheterized via a mesenteric vein and through the inferior caval vein a catheter was led to the hepatic veins. After stabilization, a 15-minute Pringle maneuver was carried out three …times with 5-minute interpolated reperfusion periods. In Control Group Pringle maneuvers were not made. Before and after Pringle maneuvers parallel blood samples were taken from the cannulated vessels for determining hematological parameters and erythrocyte aggregation. Following Pringle maneuvers erythrocyte deformability, blood and plasma viscosity were also tested. The results showed that besides systemic hemorheological effects of the intermittent Pringle maneuver local leukocyte count, hematocrit and erythrocyte aggregation index altered mainly in portal venous blood, depending on the repeating number of the maneuvers. Thus, investigations of hemorheological parameters might be useful to determine the optimal duration of the Pringle maneuver. Show more

Keywords: Pringle maneuver, ischemia–reperfusion, hemorheology, erythrocyte aggregation

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1128

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 177-189, 2008

Authors: Hernández, G. | Bollini, A. | Huarte, M. | Bazzoni, G. | Piehl, L. | Chiarotto, M. | Rubín de Celis, E. | Rasia, M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The link between aluminium (Al(III)) and a range of disorders in organisms (plants and animals including human beings) has been stated in diverse studies. As regards as human beings in particular, there are numerous studies on this metal's toxicity in relation to pathological processes. Only few references to the metal's effect upon cell rheological properties can be found. In this study, we present evidence for alterations in the rheological properties of cells as consequence of the Al(III)'s interaction with human red blood cell membrane. Al(III) could damage membrane functions of the red blood cell by favouring lipid peroxidation reactions due …to the presence of Fe(II) as an initiator. The metal's effect on lipid bilayer, and probably on the cytoskeleton as well, would constitute the cause for the impaired erythrocyte rheology. Show more

Keywords: Aluminium, rheological properties, membrane fluidity, human blood cells, lipid peroxidation

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1129

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 191-205, 2008

Authors: Carvalho, Filomena A. | Almeida, José Pedro | Fernandes, Isabel O. | Freitas-Santos, Teresa | Saldanha, Carlota

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Non-neuronal acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) have been recognized in the past. Vascular ACh has been associated by us with the regulation of microcirculatory flow by modulating nitric oxide (NO) intracellular mobilization, metabolism (NOx ) and release from erythrocytes, as well as the glycolytic flux. Velnacrine maleate is a well-known AChE inhibitor which plays a competitive role by decreasing NO-mediated erythrocyte responses. A plausible hypothesis to explain the mechanisms underlying those events hinges on the NO translocation among nitrosylated molecules and phosphorylated/dephosphorylated states of band 3 protein, processed by major tyrosine-kinases (PTK: p72syk , p53/56lyn and p59/61hck ) …and phosphotyrosine-phosphatases (PTP). Methods: To assess this hypothesis under the influence of AChE effectors (acetylcholine/velnacrine), blood samples from healthy donors were harvested and Western blot analysis was subsequently used to determine the degree of band 3 phosphorylation, in the presence and absence of PTK/PTP inhibitors. NO and nitrites/nitrates were quantified using an amperometric method and the Griess Reaction, respectively, in erythrocyte suspensions. Measurements of erythrocyte metabolites (2,3-bisphosphoglycerate; glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase; glucose-6-phosphodehydrogenase; lactate), hemoglobin and cyclic nucleotides were conducted afterwards. Results: Increased levels of phosphorylated-band 3 obtained upon p72syk inhibition suggest p59/61hck and p53/56lyn as secondary involved kinases. As to NO/NOx quantification, in the presence of PTKi we reported higher levels with velnacrine-AChE, as opposed to acetylcholine-AChE. Calpeptin, a PTP inhibitor which triggers full band 3-phosphorylation, led to the opposite NO mobilization, being reinforced by ACh. Oxy-hemoglobin, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphodehydrogenase were found to decrease with ACh, whereas P50, lactate and both cGMP/cAMP happened to increase. Conclusion: Changes on human erythrocyte NO(x) mobilization and metabolic fluxes occur under influence of non-neuronal ACh/AChE, in turn dependent on the degree of band 3-phosphorylation. Since these vascular events may potentially change under pathological conditions, coadjuvant drugs could become accessible in the setting of microcirculation disease. Show more

Keywords: Acetylcholine, glucose-6-phosphodehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate, protein band 3, protein tyrosine kinase/phosphatase

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1130

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 207-227, 2008

Authors: Kowal, Piotr | Zmyślony, Anna

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Hemorheological changes due to intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIg) administration have been considered to influence blood viscosity and this way the blood flow in microcirculation. The study was carried out in the group of 10 patients with various neurological disorders (seven with polyradiculoneuropathy, two suffering from myasthenia and one with multiple sclerosis). Patients were treated routinely with intravenous gammaglobulin infusion (Sandoglobulin, Sandoz, 24 g a day in the course of 5 days therapy). The following hemorheological factors were estimated: relative blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, red cell deformability and erythrocytes aggregation. For rheological examination the microviscosimeter Low Shear 40 (Contraves) was used. …Each patient was examined two times: before treatment initiation and at the end of therapy after five days. At the comparison of first and last measurements a significant increase of plasma viscosity (p<0.04) was found, whereas erythrocyte deformability was significantly improved (p<0.05). The value of relative blood viscosity at shear rate of 0.1 s−1 was significantly decreased (p<0.05) and statistically unchanged at other studied shear rates. The results suggest an existence of a protective feedback mechanism in the studied group of patients which has been exemplified by the red cell elasticity improvement. Show more

Keywords: Blood viscosity, IVIg infusion, hemorheology

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1131

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 229-234, 2008

Authors: Dikmenoglu, Neslihan | Ileri, Esin | Seringec, Nurten | Ercil, Dilek

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Oxidative stress decreases the deformability of erythrocytes. Anti-oxidant measures may alleviate, pro-oxidative damage may augment this decrease. Melatonin is reported to exert both anti-oxidant and pro-oxidant properties on erythrocytes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of melatonin on erythrocyte deformability under oxidative stress conditions induced by the combination of hydrogen peroxide (20 mM) and sodium azide (100 μM). Erythrocyte suspensions were incubated for 10 min with melatonin (1–1000 μM) prior to oxidative stress. Erythrocyte deformability was measured by Laser-assisted Optical Rotational Cell Analyzer (LORCA). Lipid peroxidation was determined via malondialdehyde (MDA) measurements by HPLC. Melatonin …alone did not change erythrocyte deformability. Oxidative stress alone decreased the deformability of erythrocytes by 25.8±3.1% (P<0.05). Melatonin pre-treatment augmented the decrease in erythrocyte deformability but prevented lipid peroxidation. Melatonin (1 μM) did not cause any additional effect on erythrocyte deformability. Higher concentrations (10–1000 μM) further decreased deformability (P<0.05). Erythrocytes exposed to oxidative stress had MDA levels of 116.3±14.3 μmol/g Hb. Melatonin (1 μM) slightly increased MDA levels, but 1000 μM melatonin reduced it by 35% (P<0.05). These findings indicate that melatonin exerts antioxidant effect on lipids. Deterioration of erythrocyte deformability may be due to a separate pro-oxidative action on proteins. Show more

Keywords: Erythrocyte deformability, melatonin, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1132

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 235-242, 2008

Authors: Vayá, Amparo | Todolí, José | Calvo, Javier | Romagnoli, M. | Ricart, Jose M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The relationship between rheological alterations and systemic sclerosis (SSc) is not well established. We have determined in 27 patients with SSc (4 male, 21 female ) aged 59±14 years and in a well matched control group the whole rheological profile, i.e. blood viscosity (BV), plasma viscosity (PV), erythrocyte aggregation (EA), erythrocyte deformability (ED) along with fibrinogen (Fbg), C-reactive protein (CRP), lipids, and erythrocyte indices. Patients show higher Fbg, PV and EA (P<0.01) and lower ED (P<0.01). A negative significant correlation was found between ED and inflammation markers, both CRP (P<0.05) and Fbg (P<0.01), indicating that decreased ED seems to be …related to inflammatory changes at microcirculatory levels. In addition, patients with anticentromere antibodies show significantly lower ED than those without (P<0.05). The clinical significance of this observation needs to be clarified, deserving further research. Show more

Keywords: Hemorheology, systemic sclerosis

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2008-1133

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 243-248, 2008