Objective: 

The harmful effects of aging on blood rheology have been well known. These effects in the aging have been found to be associated with an increase in oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to seek whether treatment of Vitamin E which is a potent antioxidant could improve the age-related hemorheological abnormalities.

Methods: 

For this purpose, male Wistar rats at the age of 3 and 24 months were used and the following parameters were evaluated: Red blood Cell (RBC) deformability and aggregation, plasma viscosity, plasma Vitamin E level, Total Oxidant Status (TOS) and Total Antioxidant Status (TAS).

Results: 

The results show that aging is associated with a decrease in RBC deformability and increase in RBC aggregation and plasma viscosity. Compared with young group, aged rats had significantly lower TAS and higher level of TOS in plasma. We also found significantly lower plasma Vit E level in aged rats than young rats. Vitamin E administration produced significant increase in RBC deformability and decrease in RBC aggregation in aged group with respect to young and aged control groups. While TOS levels were decreased, an increment in TAS levels was seen in plasma of old rats treated by Vitamin E.

Conclusions:In conclusion, these findings suggest that blood rheology impairs with age and Vitamin E has ameliorating effects on aged-induced hemorheological abnormalities probably by reducing increased oxidative stress in old age. This study was supported by Pamukkale University Research Fund.