The lytic effects of detergent sclerosants on erythrocytes, platelets, endothelial cells and microparticles are attenuated by albumin and other plasma components in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the lytic effects of sodium tetradecyl sulphate (STS) and polidocanol (POL) on erythrocytes, platelets, endothelial cells and platelet-derived microparticle (PDMP) formation in vitro and the potential protective effects of serum albumin and agents such as procaine.


METHODS
The effects of sclerosants were studied in blood samples obtained from normal individuals. Absorbance densitometry was used to assess the lytic effects of sclerosants on blood cells and cultured human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) in plasma and in saline. PDMP were quantified by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Haemolysis occurred in whole blood at sclerosant concentrations greater than 0.25% for STS and above 0.45% for POL. Similar concentrations of both agents caused platelet and endothelial cell lysis. Both sclerosants released PDMP at low concentrations but destroyed PDMP at higher concentrations. Albumin significantly reduced the lytic effect of both sclerosants on all cells but had a greater inhibitory effect on POL. Protamine at 0.01% had a neutralising effect on STS, whereas procaine and lignocaine showed no such activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Sclerosants at therapeutic concentrations lyse blood cells and endothelial cells in vitro. This effect is strongly reduced by serum albumin possibly contributing towards the low incidence of thromboembolic complications of sclerotherapy.
Parsi
K
K
Haematology Research Laboratory, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia; The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: kparsi@ozemail.com.au.
Exner
T
T
Haematology Research Laboratory, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Connor
D E
DE
Haematology Research Laboratory, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia; The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Herbert
A
A
Haematology Research Laboratory, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia; The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Ma
D D F
DDF
Haematology Research Laboratory, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia; The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Joseph
J E
JE
Haematology Research Laboratory, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia; The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002460:Cell Line; D019610:Cytoprotection; D003720:Densitometry; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000633:toxicity*; D011343:Procaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011479:Protamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000633:toxicity*; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate / Q000633:toxicity*; D022161:Transport Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D011479:Protamines; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011343:Procaine; D008012:Lidocaine; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate