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Activity of glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase enzyme studies in calves with long--survivals with total artificial
O Sotolová1, A Vasko, M Dostál
1Department of Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty of J. E. Purkyné University Brno.
Insights
Total artificial heart use in calves caused erythrocyte metabolic changes, including decreased count and enzyme activity. Mechanical stress on red blood cells led to compensated anemia, not limiting survival.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
- Hematology
Background:
- Total artificial hearts (TAHs) are crucial for cardiac support.
- Understanding TAH effects on blood components is vital for long-term viability.
- Erythrocyte metabolism is sensitive to mechanical and physiological stressors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the metabolic alterations in erythrocytes of calves with a BRNO VII type TAH.
- To assess the impact of long-term TAH support on red blood cell count, free hemoglobin, and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase activity.
- To compare these changes with healthy control calves.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring erythrocyte count, plasma free hemoglobin, and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase activity in experimental calves.
- Comparison of data from 4 experimental calves with 10 healthy calves over 17 weeks.
- Analysis of erythrocyte mechanical stress effects.
Main Results:
- A consistent decrease in erythrocyte count was observed in TAH calves.
- Slightly elevated plasma free hemoglobin levels were detected.
- Repeatedly decreased glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase activity was noted from week 5 to 17.
- Compensated anemia developed but did not impede calf survival.
Conclusions:
- Long-term mechanical stress from the TAH pump damages erythrocytes.
- Damaged erythrocytes exhibit reduced energetic metabolism and shorter viability.
- The observed compensated anemia is manageable and not a survival limitation in these calves.
Abstract:
The research aimed at studying metabolic changes of erythrocytes in the calves surviving for a long period with total artificial heart of BRNO VII type. The authors studied partly the count of erythrocytes, the plasma levels of free hemoglobin and activity of glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase enzyme. The changes found were compared with the levels measured in a group of 10 healthy calves. Constant decrease of erythrocyte count, slightly increased concentration of free hemoglobin in plasma and repeatedly decreased activity of the enzyme studied were found in the group of 4 experimental calves, from the 5th to 17th weeks of surviving. These changes can be explained by a long-term action of mechanical stress on the erythrocytes that pass through the pump of the total artificial heart. The cells damaged mechanically have the decreased energetic metabolism and, consequently, shortened viability. As young healthy animals with normal erythropoiesis which is stimulated by the application of drugs during the experiment are used, compensated anaemia develops, but it is not a limiting factor for the surviving of the calves with total artificial heart.
