Influence of pentoxifylline and dispirin on aggregation and deformability of erythrocytes under in vitro conditions.

Aggregation mechanism and deformability in pentoxifylline- and dispirin-treated erythrocytes are measured and compared with that of normal cells. The aggregation process is analyzed in terms of parameters which are obtained from the sequential recording of the transmitted light signal throughout the aggregate formation and sedimentation process. Erythrocyte deformability is determined by measurement of passage time through cellulose membrane. The variations in aggregation parameters in pentoxifylline-treated samples show that the formed aggregates are of larger size which sediment faster. In dispirin-treated cells, the formation of large size aggregates is delayed. The entire process is completed faster in pentoxifylline-treated compared to that of dispirin-treated cell whereas the normal sample shows an intermediate value. The deformability of erythrocytes treated with these drugs is increased.

Aggregation and deformability of erythrocytes in leprosy.

The hemorheological parameters, erythrocyte aggregation and deformability are determined in leprotic patients and are compared with that of healthy subjects. The aggregation is determined by sequential analysis of the He-Ne laser transmission data through erythrocyte suspension at hematocrit 5%. The erythrocyte deformability is determined by measurement of passage time (reciprocal of deformability) of erythrocyte suspension in PBS at hematocrit 6% through cellulose membrane. The observations show that in leprosy the aggregation of erythrocyte is marginally reduced and the deformability is significantly increased. These parameters in combination with low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in these patients lowers the blood viscosity to maintain the transport of material across the capillary wall.