Abstract
Initial-flow-rate filtration of erythrocytes was studied using a Hemorheometre fitted with straight-channel polycarbonate and tortuous-channel silver membranes of both 3 and 5 μm pore diameter. Erythrocyte filtration through straight-channel 3 μm pores was sensitive to in vitro manipulation of erythrocyte mean cell volume (MCV) and correlated with patients’ MCV in four clinical groups; 3 μm pore filtration was also sensitive to laboratory temperature even within the range 20–25°C. Rheological studies using 3 μm pores therefore require strict observance of buffer pH and osmolality, which affect MCV, and also filtration temperature. Filtration through 5 μm pores was less dependent on MCV in vitro, and in the clinical groups, but was sensitive to in vitro increase in mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Use of both 3 and 5 μm diameter pores in filtration studies will increase test sensitivity to different determinants of erythrocyte deformability.
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