Platelet and White Cell Reactivity to Top-Load Intravenous Perfluorocarbon Infusion in Healthy Sheep

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Hematology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Perfluorocarbon emulsions (PFCs) are artificial oxygen carriers with high gas solubility.
• PFCs, as lipid micelle nanoparticle emulsions, may cause thrombocytopenia.
• Understanding PFC effects on platelets and inflammation is crucial for human trials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of PFCs on platelet count, function, and inflammatory markers in sheep.
• To assess the safety of PFCs for intravenous use by examining platelet parameters.
• To determine the potential for thrombocytopenia and thrombosis/bleeding risk associated with PFC infusion.

Main Methods:

• Sheep were infused with Oxygent or Perftoran PFC emulsions, or controls received Hetastarch or were naive.
• Blood samples were collected at multiple time points up to 7 days post-infusion.
• Platelet count, plateletcrit, mean platelet volume, PDW, CD-62p expression, and aggregometry were analyzed.

Main Results:

• No significant changes in plateletcrit, MPV, or PDW were observed.
• A minor, transient decrease in platelet count occurred after Oxygent infusion, with full recovery.
• No significant alterations in platelet activation (CD-62p) or function (aggregometry) were detected.

Conclusions:

• PFC infusion did not lead to a significant overall reduction in platelet number or function.
• The study found no evidence of increased thrombosis or bleeding risk in this sheep model.
• These findings support the potential safety of PFCs for intravenous oxygen delivery.