Beta-estradiol and ethinylestradiol enhance RBC deformability dependent on their blood concentration

Short-Term In Vitro Exposure of Human Blood to 5G Network Frequencies: Do Sex and Frequency Additionally Affect Erythrocyte Morphometry?

Background/Objectives: This study assessed the effects of 5G radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) at different frequencies (700 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3500 MHz) on the complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte morphometry, and platelet activation after the short-term in vitro exposure of human blood. Methods: Blood samples from 30 healthy volunteers (15 men and 15 women, aged 25-40 years old) were collected at three intervals (14 days apart). For each collection, four tubes of blood were drawn per volunteer-two experimental and two controls. Experimental samples were exposed to 5G RF-EMR for 2 h at room temperature using a half-cone gigahertz transverse electromagnetic cell. The CBC was analysed via a haematology analyser, the erythrocyte morphometry was analysed using the SFORM program, and platelet activation was analysed via flow cytometry. Results: The CBC and platelet activation showed no significant differences between the experimental and control samples. However, the erythrocyte morphometry exhibited notable changes. At 700 MHz, the erythrocyte size, contour, and membrane roughness increased significantly for both sexes, with women's cells showing greater sensitivity. At 2500 MHz, women exhibited an increased contour index and a decreased solidity and form factor. At 3500 MHz, women showed an increased contour index and outline but a decreased solidity, elongation, and form factor. Cluster analysis identified two erythrocyte subpopulations: smaller, rounder cells with smooth membranes and larger cells with rougher membranes. Conclusions: These results indicate that 5G RF-EMR exposure significantly alters erythrocyte morphometry. The strongest effects were observed at 700 MHz, where men exhibited greater membrane roughness, and women showed larger and rounder erythrocytes. These findings suggest that short-term in vitro 5G RF-EMR exposure disrupts the cytoskeleton, increasing membrane permeability and deformability.

Influence of volatile anaesthetics on haematology and clinical chemistry in ferrets

BACKGROUND

During our years of working with ferrets in our laboratory animal facility, we observed that in several healthy young female ferrets, signs of anaemia could be detected during the entry examination although none of the ferrets expressed any clinical symptoms at the time of blood withdrawal. We aimed to compare the influence of inhalation anaesthesia with isoflurane and sevoflurane to restrained, awake ferrets on several blood parameters. After arrival at our facility all ferrets received a hormone chip to subdue oestrus. Routine blood withdrawal was conducted followed by routine blood work including haematology, clinical chemistry and electrolytes. Since the size of the cannula for implementation of the hormone chip is relatively large and the insertion probably quite painful the procedure was always performed during a short inhalation anaesthesia with isoflurane or sevoflurane. In ferrets showing anaemia (haemetocrit below 0.37 l/L, haemoglobin below 11 g/dL), we performed a control blood work (venous blood) the following week. In order to rule out an effect of inhalation anaesthesia on the laboratory results, the blood withdrawal was performed in restraint and awake ferrets without anaesthesia. The study was performed as randomized controlled crossover design.

RESULTS

Thirty ferrets were enrolled, and divided in three groups. Comparison of the three methods (isoflurane, sevoflurane or restraint and awake without anaesthesia) of blood withdrawal showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences in most haematological parameters (e.g. red blood cell count, haematocrit), clinical chemistry parameters (e.g. total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase) and electrolytes (e.g. sodium, chloride and potassium). Restraint ferrets without anaesthesia showed no signs of anaemia. In anaesthetized ferrets, reticulocytes were about four to six times lower compared to ferrets anaesthetized with isoflurane or sevoflurane.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study suggest that inhalation anesthesia has a significant effect on hematological and biochemical parameters in ferrets. In particular, the detection of anemia in an animal undergoing inhalation anesthesia needs to be contextualized in a clinical setting and in research context.

Can erythrocytes behavior in microcirculation help the understanding the physiopathology and improve prevention and treatment for covid-19?

Low plasma estrogens, vitamin D deficiency, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, thromboembolism, and impaired microcirculation are linked to the severity of covid-19. Studies have suggested that these comorbidities also are related to erythrocyte factors linked to increased blood viscosity in microcirculation such as erythrocyte aggregation and erythrocyte deformability. Increased blood viscosity in microcirculation can lead to a decrease in oxygenation and nutrition of tissues. Therefore erythrocyte aggregation and erythrocyte deformability may be involved in covid-19 severity, leading to tissue hypoxia and a decrease of drug concentration in affected organs. If this relationship is demonstrated, erythrocytes factors can be used to monitor treatments for improve microcirculatory fluidity that may decrease covid-19 severity. Lifestyle improvement and treatments such as vitamin D and estrogens supplementation are some possible approaches to improve microcirculation and covid-19 prevention and treatment.

Evaluation of hemorheological parameters as biomarkers of calcium metabolism and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND

Calcium, vitamin D and insulin resistance are linked to osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease in menopause.

OBJECTIVE

Determine if hemorheological parameters related to blood viscosity in microcirculation are linked to calcium metabolism and insulin resistance in menopause.

METHODS

25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)), 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1, 25(OH)2D), parathyroid hormone, ionized calcium, glucose, insulin and hemoglobin A1c were measured in blood from 43 volunteers. Red blood cells (RBC) aggregation, RBC deformability and whole blood viscosity were also performed.

RESULTS

25(OH)D showed a positive correlation with RBC deformability 0.60 Pa. Subjects with 25(OH)D≤29.00 ng/mL had lower RBC deformability 0.60 Pa, and higher RBC aggregation and higher HOMA-IR. Ionized calcium showed a negative correlation with RBC aggregation. Subjects with ionized calcium ≤1.24 mmol/L showed higher RBC aggregation. There was a positive correlation between HOMA-IR and RBC aggregation and HOMA-IR showed a negative correlation with RBC deformability 0.30 Pa. Subjects with HOMA-IR <1.80 showed lower RBC aggregation and higher RBC deformability at 0.30 Pa, 0.60 Pa, 1.20 Pa, 3.0 Pa and 6.0 Pa.

CONCLUSION

Low 25(OH)D, low ionized calcium and high HOMA-IR are related to impaired hemorheology in menopause. RBC aggregation and deformability can be used as biomarkers of calcium metabolism and insulin resistance in menopause.

Comparisons of Blood Parameters, Red Blood Cell Deformability and Circulating Nitric Oxide Between Males and Females Considering Hormonal Contraception: A Longitudinal Gender Study

Red blood cell (RBC) deformability is an important determinant of the microcirculation. It is influenced by various hematological parameters but also by nitric oxide (NO) which is produced in RBC from L-arginine by RBC-NO synthase. Longitudinal studies on blood profile, deformability at rest and NO levels but also differences between males and females (±hormonal contraception; HC) are less known so far. The study thus aimed to investigate RBC deformability, RBC NO species (nitrite, RxNO), RBC L-arginine concentration and basal blood parameters in males and females (±HC) as a function of time. RBC deformability was measured at rest once per week and the remaining parameters were measured once per month, respectively. A second experiment aimed to daily measure RBC deformability and 17β-estradiol in Female ± HC during a whole menstruation cycle to investigate a possible relation of the two parameters. Measured parameters showed low week-to-week variation and remained constant during study period. However, RBC deformability increased in Female + HC during study period possibly because of increasing training volume of the participants. Overall, results indicate gender differences in hematological parameters with higher RBC parameters (RBC count, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration) in males compared to females. Differences were also observed between the female groups with Females - HC showing lower number of RBC but higher MCV and hematocrit compared to Females + HC. RBC deformability was highest in Females - HC which might be related to permanent higher estradiol levels and/or higher RBC NO levels because RBC nitrite and RBC RxNO concentrations were also highest in Females-HC. Results of the second experiment also suggest higher RBC deformability in Female - HC because of higher estradiol concentrations. L-arginine levels known to be related to RBC NO production were comparable in all groups. In conclusion, hematological, hemorheological and NO related parameters show gender differences. In particular, RBC deformability is affected by training volume and RBC estradiol concentrations. The results add new information on the complex regulation of RBC function which might help to better understand the role of RBC in the microcirculation.