Influence of plasma composition on erythrocyte filtrability in alcoholic liver disease

The influence of plasma components (albumin, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, and triglyceride) on erythrocyte deformability (filtrability) was evaluated by the filtration method. The examinations were carried out using erythrocyte suspensions in HEPES buffer and patient's own plasma, and the respective values were compared in each case. Erythrocyte filtrability in the buffer and in patient's plasma was found to be decreased significantly in alcoholic liver disease. The change in rate of erythrocyte filtrability in own plasma was found to be increased. The concentrations of triglyceride (r = 0.52, P < 0.01) and fibrinogen (r = 0.56, P < 0.01) in plasma of alcoholic liver disease correlated significantly with the change in rate of erythrocyte filtrability. Blood viscosity of patients with alcoholic liver disease was impaired by both the decreased deformability of erythrocytes and the changes in plasma composition (triglyceride and fibrinogen). It was suggested that the change in blood viscosity may disturb sinusoidal blood-flow, resulting in perturbation of the metabolic functions of the liver.