Prostaglandin E₁ protects blood cell filterability from oxygen free radical-induced injury

Abstract

Uncompensated increased production of oxygen free radicals (OFR) during cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) disturbs blood rheology and microcirculation. The effects of alprostadil (prostaglandin E₁:PGE₁) on OFR-induced blood injury were studied with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as a model substance. Forty blood samples of 500 mL were collected from 40 healthy blood donors. Each blood sample was divided into four groups: a control, a sample treated with PGE₁, a sample treated with H₂O₂, and a sample pretreated with PGE₁ before H₂O₂. A simple microfiltration method was utilized to assess red and white filtration rates. Blood cell counts, platelet count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin were measured by blood cell counter. All measurements were done at the start of the experiment and after 1, 2, 3, and 4 h in all blood samples.

Treatment of blood with PGE₁ was found to provide slight protection of blood cells from the damaging effects of H₂O₂ with significant preservation of platelet count and blood cell filterability. These results indicate that the previously reported beneficial effects of PGE₁ on the disturbed microcirculation and blood cell filterability during CPB may be based on its capacity to reduce the response of the blood cells to the damaging effects of OFR. The results also indicate that the rheological beneficial effects of PGE₁ may be due to some direct cellular protection mechanisms in addition to its antiplatelet and antineutrophilic activities.