Improvement of Blood Fluidity - An in vitro Study with bovine Spleen Extract

Author(s): Uher, E., Quittan, M., Ernst, E.

Abstract: Objective: To determine whether an extract of bovine spleen, used empirically in the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease, develops any haemorheological activity.Methods: Twelve patients with an average age of 68.8 ± 8.4 years (4 men, 8 women, 5 ex-smokers) with stage 11 peripheral arterial occlusive disease consented to having a single sample of blood withdrawn from a cubital vein. Following anticoagulation with EDTA and the addition of bovine spleen extract (»Voltil«) at various doses (D1=10, D2=35, D3=100, D4=500 µg/ml), the haematocrit, plasma viscosity, native and standardised blood viscosity (at three different shear rates), red blood cell aggregation and filterability were all measured in vitro.Results: As compared with control blood (unchanged haematocrit values), at a minimum concentration of 35 µg/ml Voltil effected signifikant reductions in plasma viscosity, native and standardised blood viscosity, a signifikant lowering of red blood cell aggregation, and an increase in red blood cell filterability were found. The latter was signifikant only at a Voltil concentration of 35 µg/ml. In addition, the statistical analysis revealed signifikant inverse linear correlations between Voltil concentration in the blood samples and native and standardised blood viscosity at all measured shear rates.Conclusions: The results indicate an (at least in part dose-dependent) improvement in the in vitro fluidity of the blood due to bovine spleen extract. They would require confirmation by clinical trials.

Keyword(s): Hämorheologie

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