Leucocyte behaviour in controlled ischaemia of the calves.

G Ciuffetti, M Mercuri, R Lombardini, G Maragoni, L Santambrogio, E Mannarino

Second Department of Internal Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.

Whole blood filterability and leucocyte behaviour (number, activation, and subfraction filterability rates) were monitored at the earliest stage of peripheral ischaemia in 18 patients with stage II peripheral occlusive arterial disease (PAOD) and 20 matched controls. A model of controlled ischaemia, using exercise to stress leg circulation, was set up and blood samples were taken before exercise, at the onset of calf pain, and at recovery from peak exercise. Leucocytes were counted, separated into their subfractions on a Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient and by adhesion to Petri dishes, and filtered in buffer (like the whole blood suspensions) through 5 microns pore diameter Nucleopore filters. Unfractionated white cells, separated under gravity, with pseudopodia or cytoplasmic irregularities were regarded as activated. The whole blood filterability rate was significantly increased at the onset of calf pain and was associated with significant increases in the number of leucocytes and in the filterability rate of the monocyte subfraction, the latter persisting throughout the recovery period. No significant changes were observed in the other variables monitored, showing that impairments in white cell rheology may be associated with ischaemia.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Condorelli, M., Brevetti, G. (2002). Intermittent claudication: an historical perspective. Eur Heart J Suppl 4: B2-B7 [Abstract]  
• Brass, E. P, Wang, H., Hiatt, W. R (2000). Multiple skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA deletions in patients with unilateral peripheral arterial disease. Vasc Med 5: 225-230 [Abstract]  
• Belch, J. (1990). The white blood cell as a risk factor for thrombotic vascular disease. Vasc Med 1: 203-213