INFLUENCE OF ENDOTHELIAL SURFACE ON FLOW VELOCITY IN-VITRO

The influence of the endothelial surface and its interaction with vari ous plasma components on flow velocity was investigated in vitro. The falling velocity of microcarrier beads with and without cultured porci ne aortic endothelial cells in a vertical tube containing different me dia was recorded with a video system attached to a light microscope. T he falling velocity of the beads was in agreement with values predicte d from Stokes's law. Endothelium did not affect the falling velocity i n various media, except in plasma, where it was slower than expected. Fibrinogen was found to have a strong surface tension effect, disturbi ng viscosity measurements, and to bind to endothelial cells and collag en-coated surfaces. We conclude that the endothelial surface may inter act with plasma and plasma constituents such as fibrinogen in a way th at affects blood flow.