Correlation of different methods to determine red blood cell deformability

Abstract

Single erythrocyte passage time, flow curve in the Filtrometer, and Nuclepore filtration rate have been examined under different experimental conditions, which are supposed to simulate pathophysiological situations of diminished microvascular perfusion. The following methods have been used: 1. Nuclepore filtration test; 2. Filtrometer MF 4 (employing Nuclepore filters); 3. Single Erythrocyte Rigidometer (SER). To change RBC “deformability”, the cell suspensions have been treated with: 1. lactic acid (e.c. 0.1%); 2. 4h ageing in buffer; 3. CaCl₂ (5 mmol/l); 4. adrenalin (0.1 and 0.316 mmol/l); 5. PGI₂ (100 and 1000 ng/ml), and 6. PGE₂ (0.3 ng/ml). The mean passage time in the SER has been found to be significantly extended by all stress models applied, except for a non-measurable flow of RBC (e.g. occlusion) by the much too severe first stress model. In contrast, Nuclepore filtration test showed no effect on RBC deformability incubated with catecholamines and prostaglandins.