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Abstract Glycocalyx degradation may contribute to microvascular dysfunction and tissue hypoperfusion during systemic inflammation and sepsis. In this observational study we evaluated the alteration of the sublingual microvascular glycocalyx in 16 healthy volunteers and 50 critically ill patients. Sidestream Dark Field images of the sublingual microcirculation were automatically analyzed by dedicated software. The Perfused Boundary Region (PBR) was calculated…

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Abstract Background and objectives ESRD is accompanied by endothelial dysfunction. Because the endothelial glycocalyx (endothelial surface layer) governs interactions between flowing blood and the vessel wall, perturbation could influence disease progression. This study used a novel noninvasive sidestream–darkfield imaging method, which measures the accessibility of red blood cells to the endothelial surface layer in the microcirculation (perfused boundary region),…

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Abstract Introduction Microvascular alterations impair tissue oxygenation during sepsis. A red blood cell (RBC) transfusion increases oxygen (O2) delivery but rarely improves tissue O2 uptake in patients with sepsis. Possible causes include RBC alterations due to prolonged storage or residual leukocyte-derived inflammatory mediators. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two types of transfused RBCs…

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Abstract Adequate muscle perfusion is required for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass. Impairments in microvascular structure and/or function with aging and type 2 diabetes have been associated with the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass. Our objective was to compare muscle fiber type specific capillary density and endothelial function between healthy young men, healthy older men, and age-matched…

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Abstract Changes in endothelial glycocalyx are one of the earliest changes in development of cardiovascular disease. The endothelial glycocalyx is both an important biological modifier of interactions between flowing blood and the vessel wall, and a determinant of organ perfusion. We hypothesize that deeper penetration of erythrocytes into the glycocalyx is associated with reduced microvascular perfusion. The population-based prospective…

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Abstract Background/Aims: The capillary wall coated by the endothelial glycocalyx is the main transport barrier during peritoneal dialysis (PD). Here, we investigated the relationships between measurements of the systemic endothelial glycocalyx and peritoneal transport in PD patients. Methods: We performed sidestream darkfield (SDF) imaging of the sublingual microvasculature in 15 patients, measured the perfused boundary region (PBR), which includes…

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Abstract Background: Chronic kidney disease patients show changes in the endothelial surface layer (ESL). Whether hemodialysis (HD) itself or low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) induce ESL alterations is unknown. Methods: We studied the ESL in 20 HD patients with Sidestream Dark Field Imaging and measurement of ESL constituents in plasma during HD in 2…

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Abstract No previous population study assessed sublingual capillary density (CD) or perfused boundary region (PBR). Lower PBR indicates greater glycocalyx width. In 252 Han and 220 She Chinese and 254 Flemish people (mean age, 51.1 years; 54.7% women), representing random population samples, we measured total and perfused CD and PBR in the sublingual capillary bed, using oblique profiled epi-illumination,…

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Abstract Background Free hemoglobin (fHb) may induce vasoconstriction by scavenging nitric oxide. It may increase in older blood units due to storage lesions. This study evaluated whether old red blood cell transfusion increases plasma fHb in sepsis and how the microvascular response may be affected. Methods This is a secondary analysis of a randomized study. Twenty adult septic patients…

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Abstract Objective: Abnormal microvascular structure and function have been related to hypertension. Increasing evidence links Na+ to microvascular changes. Whether a chronic dietary Na+ load or an acute IV Na+ load differs in its microvascular effects is unknown. We therefore studied both effects in normotensive subjects on the microcirculation. Design and method: Twelve healthy male subjects pursued a low-sodium…

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