Increased erythrocyte aggregation and oxidative stress in patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Hemorheological properties are important determinants of tissue oxygenation. Although hemorheological alterations in various lung diseases have been well-defined, no information is available about the effects of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) on hemorheological parameters. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate hemorheological parameters (erythrocyte deformability, aggregation, and plasma viscosity -PV) and associated oxidative stress indices in patients with IIP. METHODS: The study enrolled 31 patients (9 Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), 10 non-specific Interstitial Pneumonia (NSIP), 12 Cryptogenic Organising Pneumonia (COP) and 33 healthy controls. Erythrocyte deformability and aggregation were measured by an ektacytometer. PV was determined by a cone-plate rotational viscometer and oxidative stress via a commercial kit. RESULTS: Erythrocyte aggregation, total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) of IIP patients were higher than controls whereas erythrocyte deformability, PV and total antioxidant status (TAS) were unaltered. CONCLUSIONS: Increment of oxidative stress in IIP seems to depend on enhancement of oxidants, rather than alteration of antioxidants. The issue that, elevated erythrocyte aggregation may further impair tissue oxygenation by disturbing microcirculation in IIP, may be considered in the follow up and development of new treatment protocols for this disease.

Detraining reverses exercise-induced improvement in blood pressure associated with decrements of oxidative stress in various tissues in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of moderate intensity swimming exercise (10 weeks) followed by detraining (for five and 10 weeks) on oxidative stress levels of heart, lung, kidney, and liver tissues and systolic blood pressure (SBP) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR and control rats were randomized into sedentary, exercised, detrained (5 weeks) and late-detrained (10 weeks) groups. Corresponding sedentary rats were grouped as time 1-2-3. Exercise of 60 min, 5 days/week/10 weeks was applied. Detraining rats underwent the same training protocol and then discontinued training during next 5, 10 weeks. SBP was measured by tail-cuff method. Tissue total oxidant/antioxidant status was measured using a commercial kit and oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Exercise training slightly decreased tissue OSI of SHR and reduced SBP of both groups. Tissue OSI of SHR were higher than WKY and aging resulted in increment of oxidants in groups. detraining yielded time-dependent increments in oxidative stress of all tissues and SBP of both rat groups. Although short-term cessations may be tolerated, our results emphasize the importance of exercising as a way of life for cardiovascular well-being in hypertensives or in individuals who are genetically under risk of hypertension.