Effect of varying electrolyte concentration on in vitro streaming potentials across canine aortae and carotid arteries.

Abstract

AbstractKnowledge of the characteristics of the blood–intima interface is important because it leads to information concerning (a) the normal antithrombotic mechanism (b) nature of interreactions between blood and intima (c) testing and selection of vascular wall substitutes which are antithrombotic and inhibit clotting. A technique for obtaining the electrical interfacial characteristics of blood vessel walls is by measuring streaming potentials. Experiments described in the present work are extensions of original in vivo streaming potential measurements. In vitro streaming potentials were measured across fresh canine aortae and carotid arteries using Krebs saline serum substitute, logarithmically varying both internal and external electrolyte concentrations. Positive streaming potentials were measured indicating that the blood vessel wall is negatively charged. Streaming potentials increased linearly with increasing flow rate, decreased with increasing internal electrolyte concentration, decreased with increasing external electrolyte concentration, and reversed, becoming positive, with aging of exteriorized artery. Thus the electrical characteristics of the blood vessel wall are dependent on an ionic balance between the blood vessel wall, flowing blood stream, and external environment. The information demonstrates the importance of electrochemical and physicochemical phenomena in the structure and function of the vascular interface and helps explain in vivo conditions conducive to or inhibitory of intravascular thrombosis.