Phytomenadione improves red cell deformability in laboratory animals.

The deformability of red blood cells (RBC) is one of the factors that determine whole blood rheology. Derivatives of vitamin K (phytomenadione, menadione, menadione bisulfite) are electron-transporting substances. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of derivatives of vitamin K on erythrocyte deformability in studies in vivo--on rats and rabbits. The influence of vitamin K antagonist on erythrocyte deformability (ethylbiscumacetate) was also determined. Pentoxifylline known to affect RBC deformability was also included in the study as the control treatment. The study was performed on white laboratory rats and domestic rabbits. The blood was obtained from animals after single and multiple dosing of drugs. Blood sample was prepared and RBC filterability was assayed with a gravity driven filtration technique. Pentoxyfylline did not change erythrocyte deformability after single dose, but significantly improved erythrocyte deformability of laboratory animals after multiple application. Filterability values of the RBCs of the rats and rabbits increased significantly after single and multiple treatment with phytomenadione, while the two other derivatives, menadione and menadione bisulfite, did not change RBC deformability. Ethylbiscumacetate did not change erythrocyte deformability in rats after single dose.