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Can erythrocytes behavior in microcirculation help the understanding the physiopathology and improve prevention and

Paulo Luiz Farber1

  • 1Hospital da Luz, Aveiro, Portugal.

Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation
|February 1, 2021
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 severity is linked to erythrocyte factors affecting blood viscosity, impacting tissue oxygenation. Improving microcirculation via lifestyle changes or supplements may help manage COVID-19 severity.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Hematology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • COVID-19 severity is associated with comorbidities like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
  • These conditions may impact microcirculation through factors affecting red blood cells (erythrocytes).
  • Impaired microcirculation can reduce tissue oxygenation and nutrient supply.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of erythrocyte aggregation and deformability in COVID-19 severity.
  • To explore if erythrocyte factors mediate the link between comorbidities and disease severity.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for improving microcirculatory function in COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • The study reviews existing literature linking comorbidities, microcirculation, and COVID-19.
  • It focuses on the proposed mechanisms involving erythrocyte aggregation and deformability.
  • No new experimental data was generated; this is a conceptual review.

Main Results:

  • Low plasma estrogens, vitamin D deficiency, obesity, and diabetes are linked to increased COVID-19 severity.
  • Erythrocyte aggregation and impaired deformability may increase blood viscosity, worsening microcirculation.
  • This can lead to tissue hypoxia and reduced drug delivery to affected organs.

Conclusions:

  • Erythrocyte aggregation and deformability are potential contributors to COVID-19 severity via microcirculatory dysfunction.
  • These erythrocyte factors could serve as biomarkers for monitoring treatment efficacy.
  • Interventions targeting microcirculatory fluidity, such as vitamin D and estrogen supplementation, may aid in COVID-19 prevention and treatment.

Keywords:
Covid-19cardiovascular diseasesdiabetesestrogenhemorheologymicrocirculationobesityvitamin D

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