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Tirilazad mesylate improve water immersion stress induced decrease in erythrocyte deformability in the rats
B Chmiel1, R Grabowska-Bochenek, D Piskorska
1Department and Clinic of General Surgery of Silesian Medical University, ul. Francuska 20/26, 40-027 Katowice, Poland. chmiel@informed.slam.katowice.pl
Summary
Tirilazad mesylate protected red blood cells (RBCs) from decreased deformability during water immersion stress (WIS) in rats. However, it did not prevent increased lipid peroxidation in RBCs, suggesting the protective effect is independent of this oxidative damage.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Hematology
Background:
- Water immersion stress (WIS) in rats is known to reduce red blood cell (RBC) deformability.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are hypothesized to mediate this stress-induced decrease in RBC deformability.
- Tirilazad mesylate, a known free radical scavenger, was investigated for its potential protective effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of tirilazad mesylate on the decrease in RBC deformability induced by water immersion stress in rats.
- To determine if tirilazad mesylate can mitigate the reduction in RBC deformability caused by WIS.
- To explore the role of lipid peroxidation in the context of tirilazad mesylate's effects on RBCs during stress.
Main Methods:
- Rats were administered tirilazad mesylate or vehicle, followed by 5 hours of water immersion stress.
- RBC deformability was assessed using the elongation index measured by Rheodyn SSD.
- Lipid peroxidation products in erythrocytes were quantified using the BIOXYTECH LPO-586 kit.
Main Results:
- Tirilazad mesylate administration significantly prevented the decrease in RBC deformability observed during WIS.
- The drug did not prevent the increase in lipid peroxidation products within erythrocytes during the stress period.
- These findings indicate a dissociation between the drug's effect on deformability and its impact on lipid peroxidation.
Conclusions:
- The protective effect of tirilazad mesylate against stress-induced decreases in RBC deformability is not mediated by the inhibition of lipid peroxidation within erythrocytes.
- The mechanism by which tirilazad mesylate preserves RBC deformability during WIS requires further investigation.
- This study highlights a specific pharmacological action of tirilazad mesylate on RBC mechanics independent of its antioxidant capacity concerning lipid peroxidation.

