Study of Erythrocyte Indices, Erythrocyte Morphometric Indicators, and Oxygen-Binding Properties of Hemoglobin Hematoporphyrin Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases

The study of the effect of drinks based on extracts of herbal adaptogens on the functional status of athletes during physical activity

Adverse environmental factors, stress, lack of sleep and rest, and heavy physical exertion, deplete the human body. In particular, the reserves of the main metabolites, water, and oxygen, are very limited. People, especially athletes, need to take special dietary supplements with adaptogenic properties to adapt to stressful extreme loads. In this study, the influence of using extracts of leuzea, ginseng, and Eleutherococcus on athletes' performance, endurance, strength, and emotional state is carried out. The studies were conducted on four groups of male athletes aged from 19 to 25 years. For three weeks, diagnostics of vital lung capacity, Stange, and Genchi tests are carried out, and data on the general impressions of athletes are collected. According to the research results, the use of adaptogens leads to an increase in physical performance. After the first week of the study, a positive effect on the human body are noticed: improve well-being and increased athletic performance. When using Eleutherococcus, there was a change in the work of the central nervous system (motor functions): tasks begin to be performed in an organized and accelerated manner without deterioration of well-being, but the volume of strength exercises remained the same. When using the drug leuzea, muscle strength was noted, which allowed to increase the load. There is a positive effect of phytopreparations on the body, namely on the functions of the cardiovascular, central nervous and endocrine systems. In 4 participants who took leuzea, the performance in power competitions improved by 18.5% compared to the control group. The intake of Eleutherococcus and ginseng is accompanied by an increase in the activity of neurotransmitter cells, i.e., the effect on the mesolimbic system.  In addition, a study of hematological blood parameters and hormonal statuses at the beginning and end of the study was conducted with the subjects who took leuzea extract. So, the use of the drug leuzea leads to the following positive changes: a more significant increase in ESR, a more significant increase in hemoglobin, compared with the control group. The conclusion is made about the practicality of taking biologically active additives based on some plant adaptogens.

Angiotensin System Modulations in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and Consequences on Erythrocyte Properties; Action of MLN-4760 and Zofenopril

Various pathologies (COVID-19 including) are associated with abnormalities in erythrocyte properties. Hypertension represents an unfavorable condition for erythrocyte quality and is the most prevalent risk factor in COVID-19 patients. ACE2 downregulation that is typical of these patients can further deteriorate cardiovascular health; however, its consequences on erythrocyte properties are not known yet. The aim was to investigate the effect of ACE2 inhibition and the potential beneficial effect of zofenopril on erythrocytes in spontaneously hypertensive rats. ACE2 inhibition induced by MLN-4760 (1 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks) led to deterioration of erythrocyte morphology and osmotic resistance, but plasma markers of oxidative stress, erythrocyte deformability, nitric oxide production and Na,K-ATPase activity were not significantly affected. Zofenopril administration (10 mg/kg/day, initiated after 4-day-lasting ACE2 inhibition) resulted in unexpected increase in angiotensin II plasma levels in both control and ACE-inhibited spontaneously hypertensive rats, but in normalization of osmotic resistance in ACE2-inhibited rats. The overall effect of zofenopril on erythrocyte qualities could be evaluated as beneficial.

The Relationship Between the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease and Erythrocyte Morphology Parameters Measured by New-Generation Hematology Analyzer

BACKGROUND

There is a possible relation between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and various clinical conditions. These conditions can render RDW disadvantageous in its relation with cardiovascular disease. There may be a relation between the severity of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the percentage of hypochromia (hypo%), percentage of hyperchromia (hyper%), percentage of macrocytosis (MAC%), and percentage of microcytosis (MIC%) values measured using new-generation hematological devices.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine the relation between the SYNTAX score and the hypo%, hyper%, MAC%, and MIC% values in patients admitted with ACS.

METHOD

A group of 55 patients who underwent coronary angiography with diagnosis of ACS (STEMI and NSTEMI) and a control group of 48 patients with normal coronary arteries were included in the study. Venous blood samples were collected in the morning after a fasting of at least 8 h and analyzed using standard laboratory methods. Hemogram parameters were studied using Alinity HQ (Abbott, USA) a completely automated hemogram autoanalyzer. Biochemical parameters were studied using Architect c16000 (Abbott, USA) a completely automated biochemistry autoanalyzer.

RESULTS

Significant difference was observed in erythrocyte morphology-related tests (mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, RDW, hypo%, hyper%, MIC%, and MAC%) between the groups. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the SYNTAX score and MAC% (r = 0.315, p = 0.019). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for MAC% to identify the independent predictors of the SYNTAX score (β = 0.315, p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

Changes in MAC% test can be measured in emergencies with new-generation hematological devices and used as independent predictors of presence of severe coronary artery disease.

The Influence of Oxidative Stress and Natural Antioxidants on Morphometric Parameters of Red Blood Cells, the Hemoglobin Oxygen Binding Capacity, and the Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes

Using a wide range of different physical and chemical methods, it was found that the oxidative stress caused by addition of hydrogen peroxide to the incubation medium has a significant effect on the conformation of haematoporphyrin, influencing the oxygen-binding properties of haemoglobin in red blood cells. Morphofunctional characteristics of red blood cells change; in particular, we have observed the transformation of erythrocytes, their transition into echinocytes. In erythrocytes, in response to increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) antioxidant enzymes become active. The use of natural antioxidants (β-carotene and resveratrol) works towards reducting the level of oxidative processes. Resveratrol has the greatest antioxidant effect.