Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

5-31-1986

Degree Name

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering - (M.S.)

Department

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Environmental Science

First Advisor

David S. Kristol

Second Advisor

Richard Clyde Parker

Third Advisor

Arthur B. Ritter

Abstract

The effects of platelet activating factor (PAF) in vessel diameter, average red blood cell (RBC) velocity and volumetric flowrate were studied in twenty-four arterioles located in the cheek pouches of nine male syrian golden hamsters. The observed vessels were between 8-32um in diameter. These vesgs were subdivided further into two groups: 8-17um and the 21-32um group. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled cells were injected into the hamster to act as velocity tracers. Immediately prior to and for a total of 60 minutes after the topical application of 10-7M and 10-9M PAF, selected arterioles were video taped periodically in both trans and epi illumination. Diameters were measured by utilizing the video shearing monitor. Average RBC velocities were obtained by using the two slit photometric technique. The volumetric blood flowrates were calculated by assuming that the vessels were rigid cylinders that blood exhibited newtonian behavior and that the flow in the vessels was laminar. It was found that the degree of vasoactivity and the recovery rate of the vessels were dose dependent. In general, application of 10-9M PAF resulted in dilation, whereas, application of 10-7M PAF resulted in constriction in both diameter groups. Trends for both PAP dosage and arteriole size on the average RBC velocity are the same. During the intial stages of the experiment, a sudden decrease in velocity occurred. This was followed by a gradual rise in velocity to near control value by the end of the experiment. With regards to volumetric flowrates, it was found that following application of 10-9M PAF, both arteriolar groups returned to their control flow by the end of the experiment. This was also true for the 8-17um group after 10-7M PAF was applied. The 21-32um arterioles, however, only recovered to 82.5% of their control value by the end of the 60 minute observation period.

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