Blood rheology and systemic oxidative status in patients with acromegaly.

BackgroundCardiovascular system is known to be affected in acromegaly. However, it was not reported to date if hemorheology was also altered and there is limited data regarding systemic oxidative status in patients with acromegaly.ObjectiveTo investigate alterations in hemorheology and systemic oxidative stress in patients with acromegaly.MethodsThe study comprised 19 active (AA) and 15 controlled (CA) acromegaly patients (n = 34, mean age 48.85 ± 1.69 years) and 29 controls (mean age 52.83 ± 1.37 years). Erythrocyte aggregation index (AI), aggregation half time (t½), amplitude (Amp) and erythrocyte elongation index (EI) were determined by an ektacytometer. Commercial kits were used for measuring serum total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated.ResultsThere were statistically significant differences regarding EI at shear stresses of 16.87 ve 30.00 Pa (p = 0.034, p = 0.0001, respectively) and AI (p = 0.050, p = 0.035, respectively) values among the control, AA and CA groups. Decrement of t½ was in line with increment of AI and indicated increased erythrocyte aggregation. Serum TOS, TAS and OSI values were similar between the control, AA and CA groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThis pilot study demonstrated reduced erythrocyte deformability and increased erythrocyte aggregation in patients with AA and CA.