Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The blood microcirculatory network is where nutrients, respiratory gases, and metabolic waste products are exchanged with the neighboring cells. Here, these components can take unexpected routes to get from one point to another. Whereas a simple fluid would follow the most direct route, we show in our $i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n$ $v\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o$ experiments that red blood cells, which are responsible for oxygenating the body, can intermittently take side routes and remain in the network longer than expected. These observations, backed up by associated modeling, raise new questions regarding hypoxia mechanisms in organs, even under apparently healthy conditions.
Source: Physical Review Fluids
Authors: Mathieu Alonzo, Nathaniel J. Karst, Thomas Podgorski, John B. Geddes, Gwennou Coupier
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4403639394