Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG5000)-conjugated phosphatidylethanolamine was introduced onto the surface of hemoglobin vesicles (HbV); phospholipid vesicles encapsulating concentrated Hb (d = 0.257 +/- 0.087 micron; P50 = 32 Torr). The obtained PEG-modified HbV (HbV-PEG) was studied for use as a red cell substitute from the viewpoint of rheology, surface properties, and hemodynamics. The viscosity of the unmodified HbV suspended in saline ([Hb] = 10 g/dL) was 2.6 cP (shear rate = 358 s-1, 37 degrees C), less than that of human blood (4 cP). However, when suspended in a 5 g/dL albumin solution (HbV/ albumin), it increased to 8 cP due to the molecular interaction between albumin and vesicles, and the viscosity increased with decreasing shear rate, e.g., 37 cP at 0.58 s-1. As for the HbV-PEG/albumin, on the other hand, the viscosity was 3.5 cP at 358 s-1 and was comparable with that of human blood. Optical microscopy showed formless flocculated aggregates of the unmodified HbV, while no aggregates were confirmed for the HbV-PEG. The steric hindrance of PEG chains seemed to be effective in preventing intervesicular access and the resulting aggregation. To estimate the flow profiles in the capillaries, the suspensions were allowed to penetrate through isopore membrane filters (pore size = 0.4-8 microns, cf. capillary diameter = 4-10 microns). The penetration rate of the HbV-PEG/albumin was higher than that of the unmodified HbV/albumin due to the suppression of aggregation, whereas both of them were significantly higher than that of human blood due to the smaller size of vesicles than RBC. Ninety percent exchange transfusion was performed with the HbV-PEG/albumin or HbV/albumin in anesthetized Wistar rats (n = 6). The blood flow in the abdominal aorta increased 1.5 times, and the total peripheral resistance decreased in the HbV-PEG/albumin-administered group in comparison with the HbV/albumin group. As for the blood gas parameters, the base excess and pH remained at higher levels in the HbV-PEG/albumin group, and the O2 tension in mixed venous blood for the HbV-PEG/albumin group tended to be maintained at a higher level than that for the HbV/albumin group. Thus, the PEG modification of HbV reduced the viscosity by the suppression of aggregation and resulted in prompt blood circulation in vivo.

Phospholipid vesicles encapsulating purified hemoglobin [Hb vesicles (HbV); diameter 259 +/- 82 mm; oxygen affinity 31 mm Hg; [Hb] 5 and 10 g/dL] were developed to provide oxygen-carrying capacity to plasma expanders. Their function as a blood replacement was tested in the subcutaneous microvasculature of awake hamsters during severe hemodilution in which 80% of the red blood cell mass was substituted with suspensions of the vesicles in 5% human serum albumin (HSA) solution. Vesicles were tested with membranes that were unmodified (HbV/HSA) or conjugated with polyethyleneglycol (PEG) on the vesicular surface (PEG-HbV/HSA). The viscosity of 10 g/dL HbV/HSA was 8 cP at 358 s-1 owing to the intervesicular aggregation, while that of 10 g/dL PEG-HbV/HSA was 3.5 cP, since PEG chains inhibit aggregation. Both materials yielded normal mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and blood gas parameters at all levels of exchange, which could not be achieved with HSA alone. Subcutaneous microvascular studies showed that PEG-HbV/HSA significantly improved microhemodynamic conditions (flow rate, functional capillary density, vessel diameter, and oxygen tension) relative to unmodified HbV/HSA. Even though the enhancement of PEG modification did not achieve the functional characteristics of the blood-perfused microcirculation, PEG reduced vesicular aggregation and viscosity, improving microvascular perfusion relative to the unmodified type. These results highlight the significance of microvascular analysis in the design of red cell substitutes and the necessity of surface modification of HbV to prevent aggregation.

A polymer composite film of hemoglobin (Hb-polymer film)

A polymer composite film of hemoglobin (Hb–polymer film) was prepared by the casting of an Hb–polymer mixed solution (weight ratio of Hb to polymer is 1 to 1). The percentages of O2 and CO saturation of the Hb–dextran film were 46% and 70%, respectively. In the Hb solution, 100% saturation was observed for both ligands, and a humidified Hb–dextran film also showed 100% saturation. Water molecules would provide flexibility to the matrix polymer and promote a structural change in the Hb from a tense state (T) to a relaxed state (R). Thus the ligand binding to the Hb in the polymer films was strongly affected by the degree of interaction of Hb with the matrix polymers and the physical properties of the polymers. Inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) worked as an allosteric effector even in the solid polymer film and lowered the oxygen affinity of Hb. The O2 transport through an Hb–polyethyleneimine (PEI) film with IHP showed the facilitated O2 transport in comparison with the film without IHP because of the high dissociation rate of O2 from Hb with IHP. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.