Microscopic Monitoring of Erythrocytes Deformation under Different Shear Stresses Using Computerized Cone and Plate Flow Chamber: Analytical Study of Normal Erythrocytes and Iron Deficiency Anemia

Erythrocytes deformation is one of the exciting properties of erythrocytes. It is still under investigation by many of the researchers in different disciplines. The clinicians and researchers are still looking for a simple and efficient method to monitor and tracking the erythrocytes deformation. This research article represented a microscopic technique that could be a helpful tool in evaluation and studying of erythrocytes deformation under different shear stresses. This technique was used to compare the deformation of normal erythrocytes and iron deficiency anemia. Elongation index was calculated and used in the quantitative analysis of erythrocytes deformation. It was found that the deformability of normal erythrocytes was higher than that of iron deficiency anemia. Normal erythrocytes and iron deficiency anemia showed strong negative correlations with the mean cell volume and the mean cell hemoglobin concentration under different shear stresses. This study introduces more understanding of the erythrocytes deformation by using a simple microscopic technique. The elongation index could be used as a measurable parameter to evaluate the deformability of the erythrocyte in normal and abnormal cases

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate-Loaded Gold Nanoparticles: Preparation and Evaluation of Anticancer Efficacy in Ehrlich Tumor-Bearing Mice

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a pleiotropic compound with anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. To enhance EGCG anticancer efficacy, it was loaded onto gold nanoparticles (GNPs). EGCG-GNPs were prepared by a simple green synthesis method and were evaluated using different techniques. Hemocompatibility with human blood and in vivo anticancer efficacy in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing mice were evaluated. EGCG/gold chloride molar ratio had a marked effect on the formation and properties of EGCG-GNPs where well-dispersed spherical nanoparticles were obtained at a molar ratio not more than 0.8:1. The particle size ranged from ~26 to 610 nm. High drug encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of ~93 and 32%, respectively were obtained. When stored at 4 °C for three months, EGCG-GNPs maintained over 90% of their drug payload and had small changes in their size and zeta potential. They were non-hemolytic and had no deleterious effects on partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and complement protein C3 concentration. EGCG-GNPs had significantly better in vivo anticancer efficacy compared with pristine EGCG as evidenced by smaller tumor volume and weight and higher mice body weight. These results confirm that EGCG-GNPs could serve as an efficient delivery system for EGCG with a good potential to enhance its anticancer efficacy