New insights into the mechanics of erythrocytes: Effects of radiation and several drugs of biomedical interest

Abstract

The study of the erythrocyte morphology, interaction, and dynamics is essential to understand how several pathologies and anomalies can alter microcirculation, disturbing the well-functioning of the organism. The erythrocyte membrane changes in many hematological and vascular diseases can alter blood functions. The blood fluidity is due directly to the viscoelastic properties of the erythrocytes. The erythrocytes aggregates can be excessively resistant to dissociation in pathological conditions. Hence, the development of instruments and methodology for the characterization of erythrocyte viscoelasticity and aggregation continues to be necessary. We have developed and patented the Erythrocyte Rheometer to evaluate the stationary and dynamic viscoelasticity of the erythrocyte. We have designed an Optical Chip Aggregometer to obtain the kinetics parameters of erythrocyte aggregation. We have standardized the analysis of the digital images to study the morphology of erythrocytes and their aggregates. In the last few works, we focused on different in vitro alterations produced by radiation and drug treatments, which could modify the erythrocyte mechanics. Also, we study drugs commonly used in anesthesia and gamma radiation that could alter erythrocyte aggregation and mechanical properties. The new techniques and methodologies developed in our Laboratory to evaluate the erythrocyte mechanics promise to be very helpful in Biomedicine.