Acute hyperglycemia exacerbates trauma-induced endothelial and glycocalyx injury: An in vitro model

Early hyperglycemia is associated with higher mortality in trauma and predicts multiple organ failure. Endothelial cell (EC) injury and glycocalyx (GC) degradation occur following traumatic shock and are key factors in the development of trauma-induced coagulopathy and result in impaired microvascular perfusion and accompanying organ failure. Acute hyperglycemia has been shown to result in the loss of the GC layer, EC inflammation, and activation of coagulation in vivo. We postulated that acute hyperglycemia would exacerbate trauma-induced EC injury and GC shedding and integrity. This was studied using a microfluidic device in a biomimetic in vitro model.

Human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers established in the microfluidic channels of a microfluidic device well plate were perfused at constant shear overnight. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers were then exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation and epinephrine followed by the addition of varying concentrations of glucose.

Glycocalyx shedding and loss of dimension, as well as EC injury/activation, were noted after exposure to the biomimetic conditions of trauma/shock in our study. Similar but less dramatic findings were noted after acute hyperglycemia. Exposure to hyperglycemia exacerbated the adverse effects on the GC and EC following hypoxia/reoxygenation plus epinephrine exposure and may be related to enhanced production of reactive oxygen species.

Microfluidic device study may allow the preclinical assessment and development of therapeutic strategies of the vascular barrier under stress conditions.