Variation of erythrocytes' deformability as classified by the cell density level

Abstract

Erythrocytes' deformability plays an important role in carrying oxygen throughout the body.

As erythrocyte ages, its density increases, and its deformability deteriorates. These facts would result in the coexistence of young and old cells, and the variation of deformation capability in vivo. However, in detail variation has been not yet clarified, because the conventional method to evaluate the deformability, were all indirect way. Thus, the purpose of this study is to clarify in detail variation in the erythrocytes' deformability as classified by density level. The porcine erythrocytes were classified into 10 density layers through the centrifugation. Then, the time series deformation behavior of the density-classified erythrocytes under the oscillating shear flow was recorded by the high-speed camera. Against the recorded images, variation of deformability, as represented by maximal major-to-minor-axis-ratio, was evaluated.