Erythrocyte deformability and erythrocyte aggregation in preeclampsia.

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 (t 1/2) 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.

Exercise performance, red blood cell deformability, and lipid peroxidation: effects of fish oil and vitamin E.

Previous studies have indicated that fish oil supplementation increases red blood cell (RBC) deformability, which may improve exercise performance. Exercise alone, or in combination with an increase in fatty acid unsaturation, however, may enhance lipid peroxidation. Effects of a bicycle time trial of approximately 1 h on RBC characteristics and lipid peroxidation were, therefore, studied in 24 trained cyclists. After 3 wk of fish oil supplementation (6 g/day), without or with vitamin E (300 IU/day), trial performance, RBC characteristics, and lipid peroxidation were measured again. RBC deformability appeared to decrease during endurance exercise. After correction for hemoconcentration, plasma total tocopherol concentrations decreased by 0.77 micromol/l (P = 0. 012) or 2.9% and carotenoid concentrations by 0.08 micromol/l (P = 0. 0008) or 4.5%. Endurance exercise did not affect the lag time and rate of in vitro oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), but the maximum amount of conjugated dienes formed decreased by 2.1 +/- 1.0 micromol/mmol LDL cholesterol (P = 0.042) or 1.2%. Fish oil supplementation with and without vitamin E did not affect RBC characteristics or exercise performance. Both supplements decreased the rate of LDL oxidation, and fish oil supplementation with vitamin E delayed oxidation. The amount of dienes, however, was not affected. The supplements also did not change effects of exercise. We conclude that the changes observed during endurance exercise may indicate increased oxidative stress, but further research is necessary to confirm this. Fish oil supplementation does not improve endurance performance, but it also does not cause or augment changes in antioxidant levels or LDL oxidation during exercise.

Decrease of erythrocyte deformability in cyclosporine-treated renal transplant patients: correction with fish oil as well as corn oil.

Twenty-nine renal transplant recipients with good, stable transplant function were included in a double-blind cross-over study to investigate the effects of different immunosuppressive treatment modalities and also the effects of fish oil and corn oil supplementation on erythrocyte deformability. Ten patients were treated with cyclosporine (CyA) only, 10 patients with CyA and prednisolone, and 9 patients with azathioprine and prednisolone. Erythrocyte deformability, as measured by an ektacytometric technique, was significantly decreased in both CyA-treated groups compared with the azathioprine-prednisolone-treated group, and this decrease was corrected with fish oil and with corn oil. The cause and the clinical significance of less deformable erythrocytes due to CyA are not yet clear. However, less deformable erythrocytes could play a role in the genesis of the complications of CyA.