Hypertonic glycerol solution improves erythrocyte hyperaggregability in occlusive cerebrovascular disease

Abstract

The effects of hypertonic glycerol solution on erythrocyte (RBC) aggregability were examined in 8 patients with cerebral infarction confirmed by computed tomography scans. Each patient was administered intravenously with 500 ml of 10% glycerol in 5% fructose saline (glycerol solution) over a period of 3 h on the first day, and then with 500 ml of 5% fructose saline without glycerol (control solution) over 3 h on the next day. Venous blood was sampled from the antecubital vein before and after administration of each solution and analyzed with a whole blood RBC aggregometer. The RBC aggregation rate before the glycerol solution (0.160±0.029/s, mean±SD) was higher than the value for normal volunteers reported previously. After the glycerol administration, the RBC aggregation rate showed a significant decrease to 0.147±0.030/s (p<0.05). On the other hand, the RBC aggregation rate (0.149±0.026/s) did not change significantly after infusion of the control solution (0.155±0.031/s). These data indicate that hypertonic glycerol solution can reduce the RBC hyperaggregability in patients with cerebral infarction. Analysis of the venous blood constituents revealed that these changes could not be attributed to changes in the hematocrit or fibrinogen concentration.