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Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry
Published on: January 12, 2018
Effect on Morphology, Osmotic Fragility and Electro Kinetic Potential of Erythrocytes in Hypertension
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, R. T. M. Nagpur University, Mahatma, Jyotiba Fuley Educational Campus, Amravati Road, Nagpur, 440033, Maharashtra. India.
Insights
Erythrocyte zeta potential is significantly lower in hypertensive patients, indicating potential for early cardiovascular disorder risk identification. This finding may aid in faster diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical science
- Cardiovascular research
- Hematology
Background:
- Hypertension is a prevalent global health issue and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Early identification of individuals at risk for CVD is crucial for timely intervention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the erythrocyte zeta potential (ZP) as an additional biomarker for cardiovascular disorder risk.
- To assess if ZP can facilitate earlier detection and treatment of patients susceptible to cardiovascular disease.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from hypertensive patients and healthy volunteers.
- Erythrocyte zeta potential was measured using a Zeta meter and video tracking software.
- Data were recorded multiple times per sample to ensure accuracy of average ZP measurements.
Main Results:
- Mean ZP in healthy controls was 23.41 mV, significantly higher than in hypertensive patients (16.05 mV).
- Hypertensive patients with diabetes exhibited even lower ZP values (6.96-22.76 mV) and showed erythrocyte structural deformities and increased osmotic fragility.
- A significantly lower ZP was observed in hypertensive patients compared to healthy individuals.
Conclusions:
- Reduced erythrocyte zeta potential, alongside morphological changes and increased osmotic fragility, may contribute to cardiovascular disease progression.
- Erythrocyte zeta potential shows promise as an additional indicator for identifying individuals at risk of cardiovascular disorders.
- This research highlights the potential of ZP measurement for improved cardiovascular risk assessment.
Background:
Hypertension is a common health problem concerning a large proportion of population and a leading global risk factor for the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of the erythrocyte zeta potential as a potential additional indicator for cardiovascular disorder risk so that patients with this can be more rapidly identified and treated.
Methods:
In the present study, blood samples were collected in 5% dextrose solution from patients suffering from hypertension and healthy volunteers (Not taken any medication). The mobility of individual RBCs was tracked by equipped Zeta meter-ZM4DAQ software using microscopicallyacquired video images, data were recorded 10 times for each sample and average zeta-potential in mv was recorded.
Results:
We found that mean erythrocytic ZP of control group was found to be 23.41 mv (± 1.87) whereas, erythrocytic ZP for Hypertensive patients was found to be 16.05 (±1.72) mV and Hypertensive patients with Diabetes is much lower from 6.96 mV to 22.76 (+3.88) mV along with structural deformities and increased osmotic fragility of erythrocytes.
Conclusion:
The data suggest that there are morphological changes in erythrocyte structure, increased osmotic fragility along with significantly lower ZP value as compared to that of healthy volunteers which may be the major cause for progression to the development of cardiovascular disease.
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