title: In vitro comparison of the erythrocyte sedimenting properties of dextran, hydroxyethyl starch and a new low-molecular-weight hydroxyethyl starch.
abstract: A low-molecular-weight preparation of hydroxyethyl starch (LMW-HES) may serve as a desirable substitute for the erythrocyte sedimenting agents presently employed to improve neutrophil yields in centrifugation and gravity leukapheresis. The cell-separating and erythrocyte-sedimenting properties of LMW-HES, assessed in vitro by the recovery of various blood cells in plasma supernatant fluids, were similar to those of the higher-molecular-weight hydroxyethyl starch in current use and to dextran under a variety of conditions. These data predict success for LMW-HES as a sedimenting agent in leukapheresis and recommend that it be evaluated in clinical trials.
mesh_terms: D001792:Blood Platelets; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002469:Cell Separation; D003911:Dextrans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007937:Leukapheresis; D007962:Leukocytes; D008970:Molecular Weight; D013213:Starch / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D013213:Starch