Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 47, issue 1

Authors: Santos, Ana Olimpia M.T. | Furtado, Eliane S. | Villela, Nivaldo R. | Bouskela, Eliete

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Classically septic shock treatment takes into consideration only systemic parameters but failure in retaining arteriolar blood flow and functional capillary density (FCD) during sepsis worsens the outcome. Thus, we have investigated the effects of vigorous volume resuscitation (VR), two doses of dopamine and their combination upon the microcirculation during endotoxemia to evaluate if improvement on FCD and arteriolar blood flow would increase survival time. Sixty-seven adult male hamsters were studied using the window chamber model. Animals were randomized 1 h after the intravenous injection of 1 mg/kg of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in LPS, no treatment; LPS/dopamine 3.0 μg/kg/min; LPS/dopamine …7.5 μg/kg/min; LPS/VR 20 ml/kg in 30 min followed by 20 ml/kg/h of saline; LPS/VR/Dopa 3.0, 20 ml/kg in 30 min followed by 20 ml/kg/h of saline associated to dopamine 3.0 μg/kg/min; LPS/VR/Dopa 7.5 (n = 6), 20 ml/kg in 30 min followed by 20 ml/kg/h of saline associated to dopamine 7.5 μg/kg/min and compared them to a Control group, no LPS. When present, treatment lasted 5 h. VR improved FCD and arteriolar blood flow score while dopamine did not. In conclusion, (1) improvement of FCD and arteriolar blood flow improved survival time; (2) VR recovered FCD and arteriolar blood flow and (3) in combination to VR, both dopamine doses reduced tissue perfusion (its low dose yielded the worst result). Show more

Keywords: Lipopolysaccharide, dorsal window chamber preparation, functional capillary density, arteriolar diameter, venular diameter, microvascular reactivity

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2010-1358

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 1-13, 2011

Authors: Chaar, Vicky | Romana, Marc | Tripette, Julien | Broquere, Cédric | Huisse, Marie-Geneviève | Hue, Olivier | Hardy-Dessources, Marie-Dominique | Connes, Philippe

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Strenuous exercise is associated with an inflammatory response involving the activation of several types of blood cells. In order to document the specific activation of these cell types, we studied the effect of three maximal exercise tests conducted to exhaustion on the quantitative and qualitative pattern of circulating cell-derived microparticles and inflammatory molecules in healthy subjects. This study mainly indicated that the plasma concentration of microparticles from platelets and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) was increased immediately after the strenuous exercise. In addition, the increase in plasma concentration of microparticles from PMN and platelets was still observed after 2 hours of recovery. …A similar pattern was observed for the IL-6 plasma level. In contrast, no change was observed for either soluble selectins or plasma concentration of microparticles from red blood cells, monocytes and endothelial cells. In agreement, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels were not changed by the exercise. We conclude that a strenuous exercise is accompanied by platelet- and PMN-derived microparticle production that probably reflects the activation of these two cell types. Show more

Keywords: Microparticles, exercise, selectins, Ig super-familly

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2010-1361

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 15-25, 2011

Authors: Ergun-Cagli, Kumral | Ileri-Gurel, Esin | Ozeke, Ozcan | Seringec, Nurten | Yalcinkaya, Adnan | Kocabeyoglu, Sabit | Basar, Fatma Nurcan | Sen, Nihat | Cagli, Kerim | Dikmenoglu, Neslihan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Microvascular dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of slow coronary flow (SCF), but less attention has been paid to intrinsic properties of blood that can also impair the microcirculatory flow. In this study we aimed to evaluate the blood viscosity focusing on erythrocyte aggregation, erythrocyte deformability and plasma viscosity in SCF. Thirty-three patients with SCF (21 male, 54 ± 12.8 years) and 23 subjects with normal coronary arteries (13 male, 59 ± 10.3 years) were included in the study. Coronary flow was quantified by means of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count and aggregation and deformability of erythrocytes were …measured by an ektacytometer. Plasma viscosity was measured by a cone-plate viscometer. Aggregation amplitude (23 ± 3.8 au vs. 15.7 ± 6.1 au, respectively, p < 0.001) and area A index (area above syllectogram) (153.2 ± 30.7 au.s vs. 124.9 ± 49.3 au.s, respectively, p < 0.01) were higher in SCF patients. Aggregation half-time, aggregation index, elongation index and plasma viscosity values were similar between two groups. Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between the TIMI frame count for left anterior descending artery and aggregation amplitude in SCF patients (r = 0.679, p < 0.0001). The result of this study reveals changes in erythrocyte aggregation which may contribute to the pathophysiology of SCF. Larger studies are needed to make more robust conclusions on this issue. Show more

Keywords: Slow coronary flow, erythrocyte aggregation, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte deformability

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2010-1362

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 27-35, 2011

Authors: Sitina, Michal | Turek, Zdenek | Parizkova, Renata | Lehmann, Christian | Cerny, Vladimir

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of our study was to evaluate changes of the cerebral microcirculation during the early stages of endotoxemia in mechanically-ventilated rabbits using Sidestream dark-field (SDF) imaging. Images were obtained using SDF imaging from the surface of the brain via craniotomy before and after rapid administration of a high dose of endotoxin or saline (control group). Although endotoxin shock was successfully induced, we have not found any significant alteration of the cerebral microcirculation during the shock. We speculate that either the model of sepsis with a rapid high dose of endotoxin does not reflect the usual progression of septic encephalopathy …or some components other than cerebral microcirculatory alteration play a role at the early stage of septic encephalopathy and the cerebral microcirculation is still preserved. Further studies are needed to clarify our findings. Show more

Keywords: SDF imaging, brain perfusion, microcirculation, endotoxin, rabbit

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2010-1363

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 37-44, 2011

Authors: Arıhan, Okan | Seringeç, Nurten B. | Gürel, Esin İleri | Dikmenoğlu, Neslihan H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Acrylamide which is formed via reaction of reducing sugars with amino acids during food processing at high temperatures is not only neurotoxic and carcinogenic, but it also damages erythrocyte membrane and generates micronucleated erythrocytes. In the present study, effects of chronic administration of acrylamide at a dose which does not induce neurotoxicity were evaluated on blood viscosity parameters (hematocrit, erythrocyte deformability, erythrocyte aggregation and plasma viscosity). Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control and acrylamide groups. The acrylamide group received 10 mg/kg/day acrylamide, whereas the control group received saline (vehicle), both in 10 ml/kg/day volume via gastric gavage. …Erythrocyte aggregation and deformability were measured with LORCA and plasma viscosity with cone-plate viscometer. Erythrocyte deformability was measured before, and at the end of the 3rd and the 5th weeks of acrylamide administration. Hematocrit, erythrocyte aggregation and plasma viscosity were measured only at the end of the 5th week. Acrylamide caused a significant decrease in the deformability index of erythrocytes (at the end of the 3rd week, control: 0.606 ± 0.003, acrylamide: 0.595 ± 0.003, p < 0.05) (at the end of the 5th week, control: 0.606 ± 0.002, acrylamide: 0.588 ± 0.002, p < 0.01). Aggregation tendency and plasma viscosity were slightly higher in the acrylamide group, however the difference was not statistically significant. These results imply that acrylamide which does not cause neurotoxicity in rats may alter blood viscosity if chronically taken. Show more

Keywords: Acrylamide, erythrocyte deformability, hemorheology, blood viscosity

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2010-1364

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 45-52, 2011

Authors: Vayá, A. | Ejarque, I. | Tembl, J. | Corella, D. | Laiz, B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: The pathogenic role of hyperhomocysteinemia in cryptogenic stroke is not well established. We aimed to determine homocysteine levels in patients with cryptogenic stroke considering the possible variables that may act as confounders and analyze the influence of obesity on this association. Patients and methods: We conducted a case-control study in 123 patients with cryptogenic stroke aged 42 ± 12 years and in 153 control subjects aged 42 ± 13 years. Serum homocysteine was determined by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Results: Patients showed statistically higher levels of homocysteine, creatinine and higher BMI than controls (p = 0.045, p = 0.014, p …= 0.013), respectively. After multivariate adjustment the differences in homocysteine levels disappeared (p = 0.774). When subjects were classified according to the presence or absence of obesity, the differences in the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (homocysteine >15 μM) were highly significant, being higher in patients than in controls (p = 0.009). Likewise, mean values of homocysteine in obese were higher in cases than in controls (16.9 ± 9.5 μM vs. 10.12 ± 2.5 μM; p = 0.020), remaining significant after adjusting for the above mentioned confounders. Conclusion: Although in general, hyperhomocysteinemia does not seem to constitute an independent risk factor for cryptogenic stroke, it significantly increases the risk in obese subjects; therefore it is convenient to decrease its levels in this sub-group to minimize the risk. Show more

Keywords: Hyperhomocysteinemia, cryptogenic stroke, obesity

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2010-1365

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 53-58, 2011

Authors: Vayá, Amparo | Carmona, Pilar | Badia, Natalia | Pérez, Rafael | Hernandez Mijares, Antonio | Corella, Dolores

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Hyperhomocysteinemia (HH) and metabolic syndrome (MS) are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. However, whether there is a link between MS or its components and homocysteine levels in a population without cardiovascular disease is not well established. We conducted a case-control study in 61 MS patients (41 males, 20 females, aged 51 ± 11 years) and in 98 controls without MS (59 males, 39 females, aged 50 ± 10 years) to ascertain the association between MS and HH, and with inflammatory markers. MS was classified according to the updated ATPIII criteria [17]. No differences in homocysteine levels were observed when comparing …MS patients and controls (12.0 ± 3.18 μM vs. 11.9 ± 3.5 μM, p = 0.829). No association was found between HH (homocysteine >15 μM) and MS, its components (abdominal obesity (p = 0.635), hypertension (0.229), low-HDL cholesterol (p = 0.491), glucose >100 mg/dL (0.485), hypertriglyceridemia (p = 0.490)) or the number of MS components (p = 272). When considering glucose >110 mg/dL (NCEP-ATPIII criteria, 2001) instead of glucose intolerancen >100 mg/dl (updated ATPIII criteria, Grundy, 2005), a borderline association with HH was observed (p = 0.054) of statistical significance (p = 0.008) when glucose >126 mg/dL was considered. In a multivariate regression model, creatinine, folic acid and vitamin B12 were the only independent predictors of homocysteine levels (p < 0.05). Although MS correlated with inflammatory parameters (fibrinogen, hs-RCP, plasma viscosity and leukocyte count, p < 0.001), no association was found between HH and the above-mentioned parameters (p > 0.05). Our results do not indicate a link between SM or its individual components with HH, and diabetes was the only relevant contribution. Cardiovascular disease risk due to MS and HH seems to share no common mechanisms. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2010-1366

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 59-66, 2011

Authors: Carallo, C. | Irace, C. | De Franceschi, M.S. | Coppoletta, F. | Tiriolo, R. | Scicchitano, C. | Scavelli, F. | Gnasso, A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: Alterations of blood and plasma viscosity can promote atherosclerosis. The relationship between viscosity and aging is still controversial. The present study evaluated the influence of aging on blood and plasma viscosity in a group of subjects followed for 11.6 years. Methods: Forty-five subjects have been evaluated twice 11.6 years apart for hemorheological parameters and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. Plasma viscosity and blood viscosity have been measured with a cone-plate viscometer. Tk has been calculated as index of red blood cell rigidity. CHD risk factors, i.e. obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, have been evaluated by routine methods. Results: …Hematocrit and plasma viscosity did not change during the study, whereas blood viscosity (shear rate 225/sec: 4.46 ± 0.49 vs. 4.81 ± 0.54 cP, p < 0.0001; shear rate 45/sec: 6.19 ± 0.67 vs. 6.65 ± 0.79 cP, p < 0.0001) and Tk (0.80 ± 0.05 vs. 0.83 ± 0.06, p < 0.005) significantly increased. The percent variation in blood viscosity was not associated with the percent variation in any of the CHD risk factors. Furthermore, the increase in blood viscosity was similar in males and females and in subjects with CHD risk profile worsening or not. Conclusion: The present findings demonstrate that blood viscosity increases with age. This increase seems independent of classical CHD risk factors and is disjoined from haematocrit and plasma viscosity, suggesting a possible direct effect of aging on red blood cells. Show more

Keywords: Blood viscosity, aging, CHD risk factors

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2010-1367

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 67-74, 2011

Authors: Vayá, Amparo | Carmona, Pilar | Badia, Natalia | Hernandez-Mijares, Antonio | Bautista, Daniel

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/CH-2010-1385

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 75-77, 2011