Effects of elastase on hemorheology in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Abstract

The effects of elastase administration on the rheological properties of blood were investigated in the rabbits fed 1 % cholesterol diet for 14 weeks. There was no significant difference in the whole blood viscosity among the cholesterol-fed animals, cholesterol-fed and elastase administered ones and non-treated control ones. The hematocrit was lowest in the rabbits fed cholesterol diet. The filtrability (deformability) of red blood cell was also decreased by the cholesterol diet. These changes indicate the decrease in the capability of oxygen delivery on macro- and micro-circulation levels. The elastase administration improved the macrocirculatory oxygen delivery index in the hypercholesterolemic rabbits, although it had no appreciable effect on the red blood cell deformability.