Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe bacterial infections initiate inadequate inflammation
that leads to disseminated intravascular coagulation and death.
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the influence of bacterial infection on blood
viscosity and red blood cells (RBCs) morphology, and the ability of
Calotropis procera proteins (CpLP) to prevent the patho-hemorheology in
infected animals.
METHODS Rheology of blood, atomic force microscopy measurements on
specific blood elements and blood count were performed to examine
changes in blood viscosity, RBCs morphology, platelets activation, and
RBCs indices.
FINDINGS Infected mice hold their blood theological behaviour as
compared to that of the control group. However, they presented
hyperactivated platelets, RBCs at different stages of eryptosis, and
variation on RBCs indices. CpLP administration in healthy animals
altered blood behaviour from pseudoplastic to Bingham-like fluid. Such
effect disappeared over time and by inhibiting its proteases. No
alterations were observed in RBCs morphology or platelets. Treatment of
infected animals with CpLP prevented the changes in RBCs indices and
morphology.
MAIN CONCLUSIONS The inflammatory process triggered by bacterial
infection induced pathological changes in RBCs and platelets activation.
Treatment of infected animals with CpLP prevented the emergence of RBCs
abnormal morphology and this may have implications in the protective
effect of CpLP, avoiding animal death.
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