Haemorheological long term study of adjuvant arthritic disease in rats 1

Haematological, biochemical and haemorheological measurements were carried out over 79 days in adjuvant arthritic rats to elucidate the function of the red blood cells in microvascular perfusion of arthritic rats. A slight decrease in the red blood cell count and significant changes in plasma proteins could be measured during the early development of the disease (21^st day), and returned nearly to normal values after the syndrome became established. Significant increases in plasma and apparent blood viscosity at low and high shear rates were obtained. Haemorheological changes could be further proved by significant decrease in red cell filtrability, and increase in the mean extent of red blood cell aggregation.