Changes in the compound zeta potential of erythrocyte membranes in patients with arterial hypertension and obesity

Abstract

The development of microcirculatory disorders is considered to be one of the earliest changes in the cardiovascular system with a combination of arterial hypertension (AH) and obesity. The rheological properties of blood play a significant role in the system of microcirculation. An important place in changing the rheological characteristics of blood is largely assigned to erythrocytes. Aggregation of erythrocytes is closely related to the magnitude of the surface-bound charge of their membranes or zeta potential of erythrocyte membranes. Purpose. To study the state of compound zeta potential of erythrocyte membranes in patients with hypertension and obesity. Material and methods. The study included 112 patients with AH and Index of Mass Corporal more than 30 kg/m2 (main group); the control group consisted of 25 people without AH and obesity. All patients of the main group received standard antihypertensive, lipid-lowering and hypoglycemic therapy to achieve the target levels of the indices under correction. Results. The level of compound zeta potential of erythrocyte membranes in patients with AH and obesity was significantly lower than in the control group and amounted to 1.57 ± 0.06 × 107 and 1.67 ± 0.03 × 107, respectively (p < 0.05). At the same time, in patients of the main group with an increase in AH, lower indices were noted. In patients with AH and obesity, a significant inverse correlation was found between the compound zeta potential of erythrocyte membranes and the degree of hypertension, which indicates a negative effect of hypertension on the rheological properties of blood at the microvasculature level. A correlation analysis was carried out to evaluate the association between Index of Mass Corporal and zeta potential of erythrocyte membranes in obese hypertensive patients. A negative direct correlation was revealed (r = 0.7, p < 0.05). Conclusion: a decrease in the total charge of erythrocytes can be considered as an early sign of microrheological disorders in patients with a controlled course of arterial hypertension and obesity.