Carrageenan Plasma Expander: Effect on Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in the Rat

Abstract

The effect of carrageenan against ischemia-reperfusion injury was investigated. Rats were grouped into four and 30% of their blood volume was replaced with normal saline solution, dextran 70 in 5% dextrose, or iota-carrageenan solution, while the fourth group remained untreated. Parameters such as venule diameter, red blood cell velocity, leukocyte rolling and adhesion, were then observed by video. Each rat had been subjected to 10 min of ischemia and reperfusion in its mesenteric venules, and the parameters were measured during videotape playback. Findings reveal that carrageenan infusion has the tendency to attenuate leukocyte rolling and adhesion, increase venule diameter and regain erythrocyte velocity after ischemia. The data suggest that the effects of carrageenan were comparable to that of either of the more commercially used plasma expanders, dextran 70 or normal saline solution. Overall, however, these did not differ significantly from the untreated rats.