On the Effects of Reactive Oxygen Species and Nitric Oxide on Red Blood Cell Deformability.

ABSTRACT: The main function of red blood cells (RBCs) is the transport of respiratory gases along the vascular tree. To fulfill their task, RBCs are able to elastically deform in response to mechanical forces and, pass through the narrow vessels of the microcirculation. Decreased RBC deformability was observed in pathological conditions linked to increased oxidative stress or decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, like hypertension. Treatments with oxidants and with NO were shown to affect RBC deformability ex vivo, but the mechanisms underpinning these effects are unknown. In this study we investigate whether changes in intracellular redox status/oxidative stress or nitrosation reactions induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) or NO may affect RBC deformability. In a case-control stud

SUBMITTER: Diederich L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5958211 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature