Introduction: An important parameter characterizing the ability of erythrocytes to deform depending on the blood flow conditions is the Elongation Index (EI), and it is a parameter defined by the shape of the erythrocyte obtained as a diffraction pattern of erythrocytes at different values of shear stresses.
Material and methods: EI measurements at different shear stress were performed by Laser-assisted Optical Rotational Cell Analyzer (LORRCA) for erythrocytes derived from Tissue Bank in Katowice. Measurements were performed immediately after receiving them from Tissue Bank and after 2, 9, and 28 days of storage of samples at the temperature of 4°C in solution with the anticoagulant.
Results: An increase in the erythrocytes Elongation Index in the first 9 days of storing samples at low temperatures was observed in the entire range of applied shear stresses. This indicates an increase in the elasticity of erythrocytes during short-term storage at 4°C. In turn, on the 28th day of erythrocyte storage, a significant decrease in the Elongation Index for shear stresses greater than 1 Pa was observed, which indicates the stiffening of the erythrocyte membrane structure, reducing their elasticity. The relative decrease in the Elongation Index of erythrocytes stored for 28 days compared to erythrocytes measured at the beginning was similar and slightly greater than 30% for shear stresses greater than 3 Pa. For shear stresses lower than 3 Pa, the relative change in elongation index was smaller than for shear stresses greater than 3 Pa and increased with the increase in shear stress.
Conclusions: The elongation index of erythrocytes stored in the anticoagulant solution at 4°C, initially increases in the entire range of applied shear stresses in the first few days from the moment of blood collection and preparation at the Tissue Bank, and then decreases, but on the ninth day of storage the elongation index is still higher than for blood immediately after collection.
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