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Flow-resistant red blood cell aggregation in morbid obesity
D Samocha-Bonet1, R Ben-Ami, I Shapira
1Department of Internal Medicine D, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Summary
Obesity causes red blood cell (RBC) aggregation primarily due to plasma factors, not cellular changes. This plasma-dependent aggregation impacts blood flow and may be linked to inflammation, suggesting new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Enhanced red blood cell (RBC) aggregation impairs microcirculatory blood flow and tissue oxygenation.
- Obesity is a known risk factor associated with increased RBC aggregation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize obesity-related RBC aggregation.
- To determine if enhanced RBC aggregation in obesity is plasma- or cellular-dependent.
Main Methods:
- Compared aggregation parameters in obese and nonobese individuals.
- Utilized a cell flow properties analyzer to assess RBC aggregation.
- Calculated the plasma factor (PF) to differentiate between plasma and cellular contributions.
Main Results:
- Obese subjects exhibited larger RBC aggregates resistant to dispersion.
- The plasma factor (PF) in obese individuals was 0.9, indicating significant plasma influence.
- RBC aggregation in obesity is predominantly driven by plasma factors.
Conclusions:
- Obesity is associated with pathological plasma-dependent RBC aggregation.
- Plasma macromolecules, potentially linked to inflammation, likely trigger this aggregation.
- Findings suggest strategies targeting plasma factors may reduce RBC aggregation in obesity.