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Marcos Intaglietta

Publications and source records attributed to Marcos Intaglietta.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Extreme hemodilution with PEG-hemoglobin vs. PEG-albumin.

Isovolemic hemodilution to 11% systemic hematocrit was performed in the hamster window chamber model using 6% dextran 70 kDa (Dx 70) and 5% human serum albumin (HSA). Systemic and microvascular effects of these solutions were compared with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-conjugated 5% albumin (MPA) and PEG-conjugated 4.2% Hb (MP4). These studies were performed for the purpose of comparing systemic and microvascular responses of PEG vs. non-PEG plasma expanders and similar oxygen-carrying vs. noncarrying blood replacement fluids. Mean arterial blood pressure was statistically significantly reduced for all groups compared with baseline (P < 0.05), HSA, MPA, and MP4 higher than Dx 70 (P < 0.05). MP4 and MPA had a significantly higher cardiac index than HSA and Dx 70, in addition to a positive base excess. Microvascular blood flow and capillary perfusion were significantly higher for the PEG compounds compared with HSA and Dx 70. Intravascular PO2 for MP4 and MPA was higher in arterioles (P < 0.05) compared with HSA and Dx 70, but there was no difference in either tissue or venular PO2 between groups. Total Hb in the MP4 group was 4.8 +/- 0.4 g/dl, whereas the remaining groups had a range of 3.6-3.8 g/dl. The hemodilution results showed that PEG compounds maintained microvascular conditions with lower concentrations than conventional plasma expanders. Furthermore, microvascular oxygen delivery and extraction in the window chamber tissue were significantly higher for the PEG compounds. MP4 was significantly higher than MPA (P < 0.05) and was not statistically different from baseline, an effect due to the additional oxygen release to the tissue by the Hb MP4.

Albumins↗

Paradoxical hypotension following increased hematocrit and blood viscosity.

Hematocrit (Hct) of awake hamsters and CD-1 mice was acutely increased by isovolemic exchange transfusion of packed red blood cells (RBCs) to assess the relation between Hct and blood pressure. Increasing Hct 7-13% of baseline decreased mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) by 13 mmHg. Increasing Hct above 19% reversed this trend and caused MAP to rise above baseline. This relationship is described by a parabolic function (R2 = 0.57 and P < 0.05). Hamsters pretreated with the nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and endothelial NOS-deficient mice showed no change in MAP when Hct was increased by <19%. Nitrate/nitrite plasma levels of Hct-augmented hamsters increased relative to control and L-NAME treated animals. The blood pressure effect was stable 2 h after exchange transfusion. These findings suggest that increasing Hct increases blood viscosity, shear stress, and NO production, leading to vasodilation and mild hypotension. This was corroborated by measuring A1 arteriolar diameters (55.0 +/- 21.5 microm) and blood flow in the hamster window chamber preparation, which showed statistically significant increased vessel diameter (1.04 +/- 0.1 relative to baseline) and microcirculatory blood flow (1.39 +/- 0.68 relative to baseline) after exchange transfusion with packed RBCs. Larger increases of Hct (>19% of baseline) led blood viscosity to increase >50%, overwhelming the NO effect through a significant viscosity-dependent increase in vascular resistance, causing MAP to rise above baseline values.

Animals↗

Oxygen release from low and normal P50 Hb vesicles in transiently occluded arterioles of the hamster window model.

A phospholipid vesicle encapsulating Hb [Hb vesicle (HbV)] has been developed as a transfusion alternative. One characteristic of HbV is that the O(2) affinity [Po(2) at which Hb is 50% saturated (P(50))] of Hb can be easily regulated by the amount of the coencapsulated allosteric effector pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. In this study, we prepared two HbVs with different P(50)s (8 and 29 mmHg, termed HbV(8) and HbV(29), respectively) and observed their O(2)-releasing behavior from an occluded arteriole in a hamster skinfold window model. Conscious hamsters received HbV(8) or HbV(29) at a dose rate of 7 ml/kg. In the microscopic view, an arteriole (diameter: 53.0 +/- 6.6 mum) was occluded transcutaneously by a glass pipette on a manipulator, and the reduction of the intra-arteriolar Po(2) 100 mum down from the occlusion was measured by the phosphorescence quenching of preinfused Pd-porphyrin. The baseline arteriolar Po(2) (50-52 mmHg) decreased to about 5 mmHg for all the groups. Occlusion after HbV(8) infusion showed a slightly slower rate of Po(2) reduction compared with that after HbV(29) infusion. The arteriolar O(2) content was calculated at each reducing Po(2) in combination with the O(2) equilibrium curves of HbVs, and it was clarified that HbV(8) showed a significantly slower rate of O(2) release compared with HbV(29) and was a primary source of O(2) (maximum fraction, 0.55) overwhelming red blood cells when the Po(2) was reduced (e.g., <10 mmHg) despite a small dosage of HbV. This result supports the possible utilization of Hb-based O(2) carriers with lower P(50) for oxygenation of ischemic tissues.

Animals↗

Effects of extreme hemodilution with hemoglobin-based O2 carriers on microvascular pressure.

A surface-modified polyethylene glycol-conjugated human hemoglobin (MP4) and alpha alpha-cross-linked human hemoglobin (alpha alpha Hb) were used to restore oxygen carrying capacity in conditions of extreme hemodilution (hematocrit 11%) in the hamster window model preparation. Changes in microvascular function were analyzed in terms of effects on capillary pressure and functional capillary density (FCD). MP4, at 1.0 +/- 0.2 g/dl blood concentration, significantly lowered mean arterial pressure (MAP) below baseline (99.6 +/- 7.6 mmHg) to 82.4 +/- 6.9 mmHg (P < 0.05) and decreased of FCD to 70 +/- 9%. alpha alpha Hb caused a greater recovery in MAP to 94.4 +/- 6.2 mmHg and lowered FCD to 62 +/- 8%. However, differences between alpha alpha Hb and MP4 in FCD were not statistically significant. Capillary pressures were in the ranges of 17-21 mmHg for MP4 and 15-19 mmHg for alpha alpha Hb, with both significantly lower than baseline (P < 0.05). Pressure in 80-microm-diameter arterioles was significantly increased with alpha alpha Hb relative to MP4 (P < 0.05). These results were compared with previous findings on the relation between capillary pressure and FCD; they supported the concept of a relationship between FCD and capillary pressure. Measurement of changes in arteriolar diameter, microvascular blood flow, and FCD show that there was no statistical difference between using alpha alpha Hb and MP4 in extreme hemodilution. Microvascular resistance in arterioles with a diameter range of 70-80 microm showed an increase relative to control with alpha alpha Hb, whereas MP4 caused a decrease.

Animals↗

Conjugation of multiple copies of polyethylene glycol to hemoglobin facilitated through thiolation: influence on hemoglobin structure and function.

PEGylation induced changes in molecular volume and solution properties of HbA have been implicated as potential modulators of its vasoconstrictive activity. However, our recent studies with PEGylated Hbs carrying two PEG chains/Hb, have demonstrated that the modulation of the vasoconstrictive activity of Hb is not a direct correlate of the molecular volume and solution properties of the PEGylated Hb and implicated a role for the surface charge and/or the pattern of surface decoration of Hb with PEG. HbA has now been modified by thiolation mediated maleimide chemistry based PEGylation that does not alter its surface charge and conjugates multiple copies of PEG5K chains. This protocol has been optimized to generate a PEGylated Hb, (SP-PEG5K)(6)-Hb, that carries approximately six PEG5K chains/Hb - HexaPEGylated Hb. PEGylation increased the O(2) affinity of Hb and desensitized the molecule for the influence of ionic strength, pH, and allosteric effectors, presumably a consequence of the hydrated PEG-shell generated around the protein. The total PEG mass in (SP-PEG5K)(6)-Hb, its molecular volume, O(2) affinity and solution properties are similar to that of another PEGylated Hb, (SP-PEG20K)(2)-Hb, that carries two PEG20K chains/Hb. However, (SP-PEG5K)(6)-Hb exhibited significantly reduced vasoconstriction mediated response than (SP-PEG20K)(2)-Hb. These results demonstrate that the enhanced molecular size and solution properties achieved through the conjugation of multiple copies of small PEG chains to Hb is more effective in decreasing its vasoconstrictive activity than that achieved through the conjugation of a comparable PEG mass using a small number of large PEG chains.

Animals↗

Nitric oxide bioavailability in malaria.

Rational development of adjunct or anti-disease therapy for severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria requires cellular and molecular definition of malarial pathogenesis. Nitric oxide (NO) is a potential target for such therapy but its role during malaria is controversial. It has been proposed that NO is produced at high levels to kill Plasmodium parasites, although the unfortunate consequence of elevated NO levels might be impaired neuronal signaling, oxidant damage and red blood cell damage that leads to anemia. In this case, inhibitors of NO production or NO scavengers might be an effective adjunct therapy. However, increasing amounts of evidence support the alternate hypothesis that NO production is limited during malaria. Furthermore, the well-documented NO scavenging by cell-free plasma hemoglobin and superoxide, the levels of which are elevated during malaria, has not been considered. Low NO bioavailability in the vasculature during malaria might contribute to pathologic activation of the immune system, the endothelium and the coagulation system: factors required for malarial pathogenesis. Therefore, restoring NO bioavailability might represent an effective anti-disease therapy.

Anemia↗

Enhanced molecular volume of conservatively pegylated Hb: (SP-PEG5K)6-HbA is non-hypertensive.

Recent studies have suggested that the "pressor effect" of acellular Hb is a consequence of perturbation of the macro-and microcirculatory system in multiple ways, and that PEGylation is an effective approach for controlling the same. In an attempt to confirm this concept, a new and simple thiolation mediated, maleimide chemistry-based conservative PEGylation protocol has been developed to conjugate multiple copies of PEG-chains to Hb. This approach combines the high reactivity of maleimides towards thiols with the propensity of iminothiolane to derivatize the epsilon-amino groups of proteins into reactive thiol groups, with conservation of their positive charge. One of the PEGylated products, namely (SP-PEG5K)6-HbA, that carries on an average six copies of PEG5000 chains per Hb, is non-hypertensive in hamster top load and in rat 50% exchange transfusion models. This hexa-PEGylated-Hb has (i) a hydrodynamic volume corresponding to that of an oligomerized Hb of 256kDa, (ii) a molecular radius of approximately 6.8 nm, (iii) high oxygen affinity, (iv) lowered Bohr effect, and (v) increased viscosity and colloidal osmotic pressure. These properties of (SP-PEG5K)6-HbA are consistent with the emerging new paradigms for the design of Hb based oxygen carriers and confirm the concept that the "pressor effect" of Hb is a multifactorial event. The thiolation mediated maleimide chemistry-based PEGylation protocol described here for the generation of (SP-PEG5K)6-Hb is simple, highly efficient, and is carried out under oxy conditions. The results demonstrate that a non-hypertensive PEG-Hb can be generated by conjugation of a lower number of PEG chains than previously reported.

Animals↗

Early difference in tissue pH and microvascular hemodynamics in hemorrhagic shock resuscitation using polyethylene glycol-albumin- and hydroxyethyl starch-based plasma expanders.

The hamster chamber window model was subjected to hemorrhagic shock by the withdrawal of 50% of blood volume (BV). BV was restored 1 h after hemorrhage with a single volume infusion (resuscitation) of 25% BV with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-conjugated bovine serum albumin (Alb) and hydroxyethyl starch (HES). Hemorrhage, shock, and resuscitation were monitored continuously in terms of mean arterial pressure (MAP), microvascular blood flow, capillary perfusion, and tissue pH. Blood samples for laboratory parameters were taken at baseline, shock, and resuscitation. Intravascular and tissue pO2 were assessed after resuscitation, and microvascular oxygen supply and extraction were calculated and corrected for pH effect on hemoglobin saturation. Resuscitation with PEG-Alb restored systemic and microvascular parameters up to the end of the observation period (90 min). HES was identical to PEG-Alb resuscitation during the initial 10 to 15 min, but was not sustained subsequently. The trend of recovery in MAP for HES persisted beyond the time when both function capillary density and tissue pH decreased, thus MAP was not indicative of early microvascular dysfunction. Hemoglobin oxygen saturation estimation showed a significant pH dependence. However, oxygen-dependant parameters corrected for pH varied less than 10% from uncorrected data. Early differences found at the microvascular levels suggest that decisions to amend end-result of resuscitation may be short and on the order of minutes. Furthermore, PEG-Alb appears to provide early and long-term sustained systemic and microvascular recovery when used to restitute perfusion and metabolic conditions after resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock.

Animals↗

Plasmodium berghei resists killing by reactive oxygen species.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are widely believed to kill malarial parasites. C57BL/6 mice injected with P. berghei inocula incubated with supraphysiological doses of NO (< or =150 microM) or with peroxynitrite (220 microM), however, exhibited parasitemia similar to that seen with those given control inocula, and there was no difference in disease development. Only treatment of inocula with NO doses nearing saturation (> or =1.2 mM) resulted in no detectable parasitemia in the recipients; flow cytometric analysis with a vital dye (hydroethidine) indicated that 1.5 mM NO lysed the erythrocytes rather than killing the parasites. The hemoglobin level in the inocula was about 8 muM; the hemoglobin was mainly oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) (96%), which was converted to methemoglobin (>95%) after treatment with 150 microM NO. The concentrations of 150 microM of NO and 220 microM of peroxynitrite were far in excess of the hemoglobin concentration (approximately 8 microM), and yet no parasite killing was detected. We therefore conclude that hemoglobin protects Plasmodium parasites from ROS, but the parasite likely possesses intrinsic defense mechanisms against ROS.

Animals↗

Effect of oxygen consumption by measuring method on PO2 transients associated with the passage of erythrocytes in capillaries of rat mesentery.

Mathematical models have predicted the existence of Po(2) gradients between erythrocytes in capillaries in the usual case where plasma contributes substantial resistance to oxygen diffusion. According to theoretical predictions, these gradients could be detected as rapid Po(2) fluctuations (erythrocyte-associated transients, EATs) along the capillary. However, verification of a model and correct choice of its parameters can be made only on the basis of direct experimental measurements. We used phosphorescence quenching microscopy to measure Po(2) in 52 capillaries of rat mesentery to obtain plasma Po(2) values 100 times/s at a given point along a capillary. A 532-nm laser generated 10-mus pulses of light, concentrated by a x100 objective, onto a spot 0.9 mum in diameter. The presence of erythrocytes in the excitation region was detected on the basis of phosphorescence amplitude (PA), proportional to the amount of plasma encountered by the laser beam, and on the basis of the intensity of transmitted laser light (LT), detected by a photodiode placed under the capillary. The data revealed correlated waveforms in PA, LT, and Po(2) in capillaries. The magnitude of the Po(2) gradients between erythrocytes and plasma was correlated with average capillary Po(2). EATs in Po(2) were more readily detected in capillaries with relatively low oxygenation. The correlation coefficients between PA and Po(2) for the half of the capillaries (n = 26) below the median Po(2) (mean Po(2) = 17 mmHg; R = -0.72) was higher than that for the other half (mean Po(2) = 39 mmHg; R = -0.38). These results support the theoretical predictions of EATs and plasma Po(2) gradients in capillaries.

Animals↗

Effect of acute hypoxia on microcirculatory and tissue oxygen levels in rat cremaster muscle.

Repeated exposure to brief periods of hypoxia leads to pathophysiological changes in experimental animals similar to those seen in sleep apnea. To determine the effects of such exposure on oxygen levels in vivo, we used an optical method to measure PO2 in microcirculatory vessels and tissue of the rat cremaster muscle during a 1-min step reduction of inspired oxygen fraction from 0.21 to 0.07. Under control conditions, PO2 was 98.1 +/- 1.9 Torr in arterial blood, 52.2 +/- 2.8 Torr in 29.0 +/- 2.7-microm arterioles, 26.8 +/- 1.7 Torr in the tissue interstitium near venous capillaries, and 35.1 +/- 2.6 Torr in 29.7 +/- 1.9-microm venules. The initial fall in PO2 during hypoxia was significantly greater in arterial blood, being 93% complete in the first 10 s, whereas it was 68% complete in arterioles, 47% at the tissue sites, and 38% in venules. In the 10- to 30-s period, the fall in normalized tissue and venular PO2 was significantly greater than in arterial PO2. At the end of hypoxic exposure, PO2 at all measurement sites had fallen very nearly in proportion to that in the inspired gas, but tissue oxygen levels did not reach critical PO2. Significant differences in oxyhemoglobin desaturation rate were also observed between arterial and microcirculatory vessels during hypoxia. In conclusion, the fall in microcirculatory and tissue oxygen levels in resting skeletal muscle is significantly slower than in arterial blood during a step reduction to an inspired oxygen fraction of 0.07, and tissue PO2 does not reach anaerobic levels.

Acute Disease↗

Hemoglobin serves to protect Plasmodium parasites from nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species.

Our understanding of how the host immune response kills Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, is limited and controversial. One widely held belief is that reactive oxygen species are crucial for controlling parasite replication. One of the hallmarks of blood-stage malaria is the cyclic rupture of erythrocytes by the parasite, which releases free hemoglobin into the circulation. We propose that this free hemoglobin, as well as the hemoglobin within the erythrocyte and surrounding the parasite, effectively shields Plasmodium from reactive oxygen species well in excess of those achievable in vivo.

Animals↗

Increase plasma viscosity sustains microcirculation after resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock and continuous bleeding.

Resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock (50% of blood volume, BV) followed by continuous bleeding (20% of BV per hour, over the entire observation time, 90 min) was studied in the unanesthetized hamster chamber window model. Blood losses equaled 100% of total BV. A single volume infusion (resuscitation) was performed 60 min after hemorrhage using 25% of the BV with 10% hydroxyethyl starch (HES 200, group HES4), or a mixture of HES 200 with 0.3% or 0.6% (w/v) alginate (groups HES7 and HES10, respectively) leading to solutions with a uniform colloidal oncotic pressure (84-87 mmHg) and viscosities ranging from 3.8 to 9.8 cp. Results showed all solutions to be similar immediately after resuscitation (10-15 min) and diverged after this initial period. The viscosity-enhanced solutions showed improved and longer-lasting effects (90 min) relative to the conventional low viscosity, in terms of sustained arterial blood pressure, microvascular flow, capillary perfusion, and laboratory parameters. All microvascular parameters 90 min after resuscitation with low viscosity fell back to the shock level. Improved recovery obtained with a hyperviscous plasma expander was related to microcirculation shear stress preservation, leading to improve blood flow by lowering peripheral vascular resistance when compared with low viscosity resuscitation. These findings suggest the possibility of using hyperviscous plasma expanders to prolong the period for initial treatment of blood losses and definitive institution therapy.

Alginates↗

Alginate plasma expander maintains perfusion and plasma viscosity during extreme hemodilution.

Extreme hemodilution was performed in the hamster chamber window model using 6% Dextran 70, lowering systemic hematocrit by 60%. Animals were subsequently divided into three groups and hemodiluted to a hematocrit of 11% using 6% Dextran 70, 6% Dextran 500, and a 4% Dextran 70 + 0.7% alginate solution (n = 6 each group). Final plasma viscosities were 1.4 +/- 0.2, 2.2 +/- 0.1, and 2.7 +/- 0.2 cp, respectively, (P < 0.05, high viscosity vs. low viscosity). Blood viscosities were 2.1 +/- 0.2, 2.9 +/- 0.4, and 3.9 +/- 0.3 cp, respectively. The lowest blood and plasma viscosity group had a significantly lower functional capillary density, 37 +/- 16%, whereas the two high-viscosity solutions were 71 +/- 15% and 76 +/- 12% (P < 0.05, high viscosity vs. low viscosity), respectively. Arteriolar and venular flow in the Dextran 500 and alginate groups was higher than baseline (i.e., normal nontreated animals), whereas the low-viscosity group showed a reduction in flow. These microvascular changes were paralleled by changes in base excess, which was negative for the Dextran 70 group and positive for the other groups. However, tissue Po(2) was uniformly low for all groups (average of 1.4 mmHg). Calculation of tissue oxygen consumption in the window chamber based on the microvascular data, flow, and intravascular Po(2) showed that only the alginate + Dextran 70 solution-exchanged animals returned to baseline oxygen consumption, whereas the other groups were lower than baseline (P < 0.05). These results show that hemodilution performed with high-viscosity plasma expanders yields systemic arterial pressures and functional capillary densities that are significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those obtained with 6% Dextran 70, a fluid whose viscosity is similar to that of plasma. A condition for obtaining these results is that the oncotic pressure of the plasma expander be titrated to near normal, so that autotransfusion of fluid from the tissue into the vascular compartment does not reduce the effects of increasing plasma viscosity and increased shear stress on the microvascular wall.

Alginates↗

Elevated plasma viscosity in extreme hemodilution increases perivascular nitric oxide concentration and microvascular perfusion.

We tested the hypothesis that high-viscosity (HV) plasma in extreme hemodilution causes wall shear stress to be greater than low-viscosity (LV) plasma, leading to enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO). The perivascular concentration of NO was measured in arterioles and venules and the tissue of the hamster chamber window model, subjected to acute extreme hemodilution, with a hematocrit (Hct) of 11% using Dextran 500 (n = 6) or Dextran 70 (n = 5) with final plasma viscosities of 1.99 +/- 0.11 and 1.33 +/- 0.04 cp, respectively. HV plasma significantly increased the periarteriolar, perivenular, and tissue NO concentration by 2.0, 1.9, and 1.4 times the control (n = 7). The NO concentration with LV plasma was not statistically different from control. Arteriolar shear stress was significantly increased in HV plasma relative to LV plasma in arterioles but not in venules. Aortic endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein expression was increased with HV plasma but not with LV plasma. There was a weak correlation between perivascular NO concentration and the locally calculated shear stress induced by the procedures, when blood viscosity was corrected according to Hct values previously determined in studies of microvascular Hct distribution. The finding that the periarteriolar and venular NO concentration in HV plasma was the same although arteriolar shear stress was significantly greater than venular shear stress maybe be due to differences in vessel wall metabolism between arterioles and venules and the presence of NO transport through the blood stream in the microcirculation. Results support the concept that in extreme hemodilution HV plasma maintains functional capillary density through a NO-mediated vasodilatation.

Animals↗

Microvascular oxygen delivery and consumption following treatment with verapamil.

The microvascular distribution of oxygen was studied in the arterioles and venules of the awake hamster window chamber preparation to determine the contribution of vascular smooth muscle relaxation to oxygen consumption of the microvascular wall during verapamil-induced vasodilatation. Verapamil HCl delivered in a 0.1 mg/kg bolus injection followed by a continuous infusion of 0.01 mg.kg(-1).min(-1) caused significant arteriolar dilatation, increased microvascular flow and functional capillary density, and decreased arteriolar vessel wall transmural Po(2) difference. Verapamil caused tissue Po(2) to increase from 25.5 +/- 4.1 mmHg under control condition to 32.0 +/- 3.7 mmHg during verapamil treatment. Total oxygen released by the microcirculation to the tissue remained the same as at baseline. Maintenance of the same level of oxygen release to the tissue, increased tissue Po(2), and decreased wall oxygen concentration gradient are compatible if vasodilatation significantly lowers vessel wall oxygen consumption, which in this model appears to constitute an important oxygen-consuming compartment. These findings show that treatment with verapamil, which increases oxygen supply through vasodilatation, may further improve tissue oxygenation by lowering oxygen consumption of the microcirculation.

Animals↗

Oxygen transport by low and normal oxygen affinity hemoglobin vesicles in extreme hemodilution.

The oxygen transport capacity of phospholipid vesicles encapsulating purified Hb (HbV) produced with a Po(2) at which Hb is 50% saturated (P 50 ) of 8 (HbV(8)) and 29 mmHg (HbV(29)) was investigated in the hamster chamber window model by using microvascular measurements to determine oxygen delivery during extreme hemodilution. Two isovolemic hemodilution steps were performed with 5% recombinant albumin (rHSA) until Hct was 35% of baseline. Isovolemic exchange was continued using HbV suspended in rHSA solution to a total [Hb] of 5.7 g/dl in blood. P(50) was modified by coencapsulating pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. Final Hct was 11% for the HbV groups, with a plasma [Hb] of 2.1 +/- 0.1 g/dl after exchange with HbV(8) or HbV(29). A reference group was hemodiluted to Hct 11% with only rHSA. All groups showed stable blood pressure and heart rate. Arterial oxygen tensions were significantly higher than baseline for the HbV groups and the rHSA group and significantly lower for the HbV groups compared with the rHSA group. Blood pressure was significantly higher for the HbV(8) group compared with the HbV(29) group. Arteriolar and venular blood flows were significantly higher than baseline for the HbV groups. Microvascular oxygen delivery and extraction were similar for the HbV groups but lower for the rHSA group (P < 0.05). Venular and tissue Po(2) were statistically higher for the HbV(8) vs. the HbV(29) and rHSA groups (P < 0.05). Improved tissue Po(2) is obtained when red blood cells deliver oxygen in combination with a high- rather than low-affinity oxygen carrier.

Albumins↗