Enhancement of red blood cell aggregation by plasma triglycerides

The effects of plasma triglycerides level on human red blood cells (RBCs) i ndices, hematological parameters, RBCs aggregation velocity and whole blood viscosity were studied at 2 hours after high-fat or low-fat meal. Proteins , triglycerides and cholesterol levels of plasma were analysed. The RBCs ro uleaux formation rate was measured in 70% autologous plasma (with 30% phosp hate-buffered saline, PBS) or 1 g/dl dextran T70 solution (with 4 g/dl bovi ne serum albumin) in PBS, using a low-shear rheoscope. The results were gro uped according to triglycerides content in plasma. No significant differenc e in whole blood viscosity, hematological parameters, RBC indices, protein and cholesterol content was observed between high-fat and low-fat blood sam ples. There was a significant increase in rouleaux formation rate of sample s with high triglyceride levels, when measured in 70% autologous plasma, bu t it was not significant in dextran T70 containing medium. In conclusion, t he results obtained suggest that alteration of plasma lipid levels as well as possible changes in the cell membrane lipid composition lead to enhanced RBC aggregation.