Red cell deformability was measured from the red cell filtration rate (RFR) in the patients of peripheral vascular diseases, using a 5μm Nuclepore microfilter and 20% Ht red cell suspension.
In the patients of ASO, TAO and Raynaud's syndrome, the red cell deformability was cleared to be reduced significantly, comparing with age-matched controls.
Furthermore, the effects of PGE1, PGI2 analogue (OP-41483) and TXA2 blockade (OKY-046) on red cell deformability in peripheral vascular disease patients were studied.
PGE1 was given intravenously 11 patients (80-120μg/day, 5-14 days), and reduced red cell deformability (23.8μl/sec) was improved (47.1μl/sec) significantly (p<0.01).
PGI2 analogue was also given to 16 patients (20μg, 40min) intravenously, and pre-treated value was 37.9μl/sec, while post-treated value increased to 48.8μl/sec (p<0.01).
TXA2 blockade was given orally (600mg/day, 6 weeks) to 13 patients and red cell deformability was improved significantly (from 46.5 to 58.8μl/sec, p<0.01).
The study showed that PGE1, PGI2 and TXA2 blockade were significantly effective on reduced red cell deformability, besides the effectiveness as an anti-platelet agent and a vasodilating agent.
These prostanoids were suggested to play an important role in keeping a good microcirculation in the body.