title: Relationship of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and red blood cell filterability: cross-sectional study of healthy subjects.
abstract: The deformability of red blood cells (RBCs) is an important rheologic factor in the maintenance of normal blood flow in the microcirculation. Contrary to the well-known relationship between hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis, the relationship between RBC rheology and the serum lipid profile has remained controversial and obscure. Moreover, the correlation of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and RBC deformability has not been fully understood. In the present cross-sectional study of 139 apparently healthy subjects, we investigated whole-cell deformability (filterability) of RBCs in relation to the lipid profile, using a nickel mesh filter with 3.2-microm pores. RBC filterability was independent of gender, age and serum levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. The filterability was significantly proportional to the HDL-cholesterol values (r = 0.382, p < 0.01), whereas it was inversely proportional to the triglyceride levels (r = -0.259, p < 0.01). These findings may provide new insight into the role of HDL-cholesterol not only in preventing atherosclerotic progression but also in improving RBC filterability.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Rheological Function of Foods Co. Ltd., Kubara, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ejima
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ijichi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohnishi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kaji
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanaya
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujino
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Uyesaka
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohmura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D002784:Cholesterol