Erythrocyte deformability correlates with systemic inflammation.

Recent evidence suggests that systemic conditions, particularly those associated with inflammation, can affect erythrocyte deformability in the absence of haematological conditions. In this exploratory study, we investigated the relationship between systemic inflammatory status and erythrocyte deformability (using osmotic gradient ektacytometry) in a heterogenous study population consisting of individuals with no medical concerns, chronic conditions, and acute illness, providing a wide range of systemic inflammation severity. 22 participants were included in a prospective observational study. Maximum Elongation Index (EImax) in ektacytometry served as the readout for erythrocyte deformability. Inflammatory status was assessed using C-reactive protein (CRP) and self-reported symptoms associated with inflammatory activation (Sickness Questionnaire Scores, SicknessQ). In a univariate linear regression, both CRP and SicknessQ scores significantly predicted EImax (CRP: F(1,20) = 7.751, p < 0.05 (0.011), R2 = 0.279; SicknessQ: F(1,18) = 4.831, p < 0.05 (0.041), R2 = 0.212). Sensitivity analyses with multivariable linear regression correcting for age showed concordant findings. Results suggest a linear relationship between erythrocyte deformability and biochemical and clinical markers of systemic inflammation. Replication of findings in a larger study, and mechanisms and clinical consequences need further in investigation.

Effect of Bile on Hemodynamics and Blood Micro-Rheological Parameters in Experimental Models of Bilhemia.

As a rare complication of liver injury and certain interventions, bile can enter the bloodstream depending on the pressure gradient, resulting in bilhemia. Its micro-rheological and hemodynamic effects are still unclear. We aimed to study these parameters in experimental bilhemia models. Under general anesthesia, via laparotomy, bile was obtained by gallbladder puncture from pigs and by choledochal duct cannulation from rats. In vitro, 1 µL and 5 µL of bile were mixed with 500 µL of anticoagulated autologous blood. The systemic effect was also assessed (i.v. bile, 200 µL/bwkg). Hemodynamic and hematological parameters were monitored, and red blood cell (RBC) deformability and aggregation were determined. RBC deformability significantly decreased with the increasing bile concentration in vitro (1 µL: p = 0.033; 5 µL: p < 0.001) in both species. The RBC aggregation index values were concomitantly worsened (1 µL: p < 0.001; 5 µL: p < 0.001). The mean arterial pressure and heart rate decreased by 15.2 ± 6.9% and 4.6 ± 2.1% in rats (in 10.6 ± 2.6 s) and by 32.1 ± 14% and 25.2 ± 11.63% in pigs (in 48.3 ± 18.9 s). Restoration of the values was observed in 45 ± 9.5 s (rats) and 130 ± 20 s (pigs). Bilhemia directly affected the hemodynamic parameters and caused micro-rheological deterioration. The magnitude and dynamics of the changes were different for the two species.

Voxelotor improves red blood cell functionality in children with sickle cell anaemia: An ancillary study of the HOPE-KIDS 1 trial.

INTRODUCTION: Sickle haemoglobin (HbS) polymerisation perturbs red blood cell (RBC) rheology and drives sickle cell disease (SCD) pathophysiology. Voxelotor is an HbS polymerisation inhibitor that increases haemoglobin (Hb)-oxygen affinity. METHODS/RESULTS: In this 48-week, prospective, single-centre translational study, 10 children aged 4-11 years with SCD were treated with voxelotor. Improvements in RBC deformability were observed using osmotic/oxygen gradient ektacytometry, with increases in minimal and maximal elongation index and reductions in point of sickling. Increased Hb and reduced markers of haemolysis were also observed. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that voxelotor treatment is associated with reduced RBC sickling and haemolysis in children with SCD.

Investigating the blood rheology in the first trimester pregnancies with high risk for preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a dynamic process associated with changes in vascular and rheological resistance. Maternal maladaptation to these changes is the leading cause of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the hemorheological alterations in pregnancies with a high risk for preeclampsia in the first trimester. METHODS: Ninety-two pregnant women were allocated into the high preeclampsia risk group (37 cases) and control groups (55 cases). Plasma and whole blood viscosity and red blood cell morphodynamic properties, including deformability and aggregation were assessed by Brookfield viscometer and laser-assisted optical rotational cell analyzer (LORRCA) at 11-14 gestational weeks. RESULTS: Whole blood viscosity was significantly higher in the high-risk group at all shear rates. Plasma viscosity and hematologic factors showed no differences between the groups. Hematocrit levels positively correlated with high blood viscosity only in the high-risk group. There were no significant changes in the other deformability and aggregation parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the whole blood viscosity of pregnant women with high preeclampsia risk refer to impaired microcirculation beginning from the early weeks of gestation. We suggest that the whole blood viscosity is consistent with the preeclampsia risk assessment in the first trimester, and its measurement might be promising for identifying high-preeclampsia-risk pregnancies.

The influence of triglyceride and low-density-lipoprotein target levels on microcirculation: Is there a difference?

Background and aims: This study aimed to validate the role of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] and triglyceride [TG] treatment target levels on the microcirculation in a very high and high cardiovascular risk group. Methods: 119 patients with high or very high cardiovascular [CV] risk were included. We have registered the main co-morbidities, smoking habits, body mass index [BMI] and the lipid lowering medication. Hematocrit, whole blood viscosity [WBV] and plasma viscosity [PV], red blood cell [RBC] aggregation and deformability and fibrinogen, total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], LDL-C and TG levels were determined. Results: The investigation found significantly higher PV values in patients with non-target LDL-C, associated with higher fibrinogen level. Non-target TG was related to deteriorated microcirculatory parameters, as significantly higher RBC aggregation, lower RBC deformability, and higher WBV and PV. The main microcirculatory benefit in diabetes could be gained from target level of TG, in chronic coronary syndrome [CCS] patients it is more advantageous to reach both LDL-C and TG target. Conclusion: The results could highlight, that TG should play a role in failing microcirculation and cause potentially life-threatening complications, which would worsen the survival and quality of life of high or very high risk CV patients.

Rheological properties of blood in multiple myeloma patients.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is considered to be one of the hematological malignancies formed by excessive and abnormal proliferation of plasmocytes. Among other parameters, several blood tests are used to diagnose multiple myeloma. The hemorheological profile in multiple myeloma is not widely studied. Hemorheology includes the study of measuring the deformability and aggregation of erythrocytes, blood viscosity, and sedimentation rate. The degree of deformability of blood cells is necessary to maintain proper vital functions. Proper deformability of red blood cells ensures proper blood circulation, tissue oxidation and carbon dioxide uptake. The aim of the study was to compare morphology and blood rheology parameters in patients with MM and healthy individuals. The study included 33 patients with MM, and 33 healthy subjects of the same age. The hematological blood parameters were evaluated using ABX MICROS 60 hematology analyzer. The LORCA Analyzer to study erythrocyte aggregation and deformability. Patients with MM had lower red blood cells count (RBC) (9.11%) (p < 0.001) and half time of total aggregation (T1/2) (94.29%) (p < 0.001) values and higher mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (5.50%) (p < 0.001), aggregation index (AI) (68.60%) (p < 0.001), total extent of aggregation (AMP) (87.92%) (p < 0.001) values than the healthy control group. Aggregation in patients with MM is different compared to healthy individuals. It was observed that the percentage of cell aggregation is almost 50% higher than in the control group. The study of morphology, aggregation and deformability of erythrocytes in patients with suspected MM may be helpful in making clinical decisions.

Efectos hemorreológicos de los glóbulos rojos y sus implicancias en la salud / Hemorheological effects of red blood cells and their implications in health / Efeitos hemorreológicos das hemácias e suas implicações na saúde

Resumen La reología es una disciplina científica que se dedica al estudio de la deformación y flujo de la materia o, más precisamente, de los fluidos. En particular, la hemorreología se ocupa del comportamiento del flujo de la sangre completa, además de la deformabilidad de los elementos individuales que la componen (es decir, glóbulos rojos, glóbulos blancos y plaquetas). Debido a su importancia fisiopatológica, la medición de la deformabilidad de los glóbulos rojos ha sido el foco de numerosos estudios en las últimas décadas y en especial su rol en la regulación del suministro de O2. El objetivo de esta revisión fue resumir la información actualmente disponible sobre la reología de la sangre, con especial énfasis en la influencia de la deformabilidad de los glóbulos rojos, destacando su relación con diversas enfermedades humanas tales como trastornos hereditarios de la membrana (esferocitosis, eliptocitosis, ovalocitosis y estomatocitosis), trastornos metabólicos (diabetes y cambios en la membrana inducidos por el estrés oxidativo) y los asociados a enfermedades críticas. Se exponen brevemente las técnicas microfluídicas que han sido identificadas como métodos de gran potencial en el desarrollo de modelos experimentales dinámicos de última generación. Su uso podría dilucidar la importancia de las alteraciones de la membrana de los eritrocitos en condiciones patológicas y las consecuencias de dichas alteraciones en la dinámica del flujo de la microcirculación.

Abstract Rheology is a scientific discipline dealing with the flow and deformation behavior of materials, with the materials under consideration being solids or more precisely, fluids. In particular, hemorheology is concerned with the behaviour of the flow of whole blood and also the deformability of the individual elements that make it up (i.e. red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets). Due to its pathophysiological importance, the measurement of red blood cell deformability has been the focus of numerous studies in recent decades and in particular the role of red blood cells in the regulation of O2 supply. The aim of this review was to summarise the currently available information on blood rheology with special emphasis on the influence of red blood cell deformability, highlighting its relationship with various human diseases such as hereditary membrane disorders (e.g. spherocytosis, elliptocytosis, ovalocytosis and stomatocytosis), metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes and membrane changes induced by oxidative stress) and those associated with critical illnesses. The microfluidic techniques that have been identified are briefly presented here as key methods to develop the state-of-the-art in dynamic experimental models to elucidate the importance of erythrocyte membrane alterations in pathological conditions as well as the role that such alterations play in the dynamics of microcirculation flow.

Resumo Reologia é uma disciplina científica que se dedica ao estudo da deformação e fluxo da matéria ou, mais especificamente, dos fluidos. A hemorreologia trata, em particular, do comportamento do fluxo do sangue total, além da deformabilidade dos elementos individuais que o compõem (ou seja, glóbulos vermelhos, glóbulos brancos e plaquetas). Devido à sua importância fisiopatológica, a mensuração da deformabilidade das hemácias tem sido foco de inúmeros estudos nas últimas décadas e, principalmente, o papel das hemácias na regulação do suprimento de O2. O objetivo desta revisão era resumir as informações atualmente disponíveis sobre a reologia do sangue com ênfase especial na influência da deformabilidade dos glóbulos vermelhos, destacando sua relação com várias doenças humanas, como distúrbios hereditários da membrana (esferocitose, eliptocitose, ovalocitose e estomatocitose), distúrbios metabólicos (diabetes e alterações na membrana induzidas por estresse oxidativo) e aqueles associados a doenças críticas. Técnicas microfluídicas são brevemente discutidas, as quais têm sido identificadas como métodos de grande potencial no desenvolvimento de modelos experimentais dinâmicos de última geração. Seu uso poderia elucidar a importância das alterações da membrana eritrocitária nas condições patológicas e as consequências de tais alterações na dinâmica do fluxo da microcirculação.

CHANGES OF RED BLOOD CELL DEFORMABILITY IN TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

The changes of red blood cell deformability and the factors influencing it were studied in type II diabetes mellitus. The results showed that the red blood cell deformability of the patients decreased significantly and related closely with glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, plasma fibrinogen, cholesterol and triglyceride. It suggested that the control of diabetes or the extent of metabolic disturbance may have an marked effect on red blood cell deformability.