Time-dependent reaction of human red cell deformability on sphering agents.

The viscosity of samples with normal and normovolemic sphered erythrocytes was tested, using high- and low-shear capillary viscometry, paper filtration of packed red blood cells, and low g-value centrifugation. Incubated serum, pure lysolecithin and bile were used as sphering substances. The initial reaction of the red blood cells with the sphering agents was accompanied by increased viscosities of the blood samples especially at low shear rates. Prolonged storage of the erythrocytes in these media lead to full restoration of normal flow properties.