Mathematical modeling of electrokinetic transport through endothelial-cell glycocalyx

Abstract

The motivation for the present study is to understand the role of the endothelial-cell glycocalyx layer (EGL) toward the transport of charged or uncharged blood-borne solutes (nutrients, ions, drug nanoparticles, etc.) from the bloodstream inside the blood vessels. Various experimental observations prevail that EGL holds negative charges in its skeleton, and the corresponding electric double layer interacts with the blood plasma (treated as an electrolyte). The biphasic mixture theory-based momentum equations modified with the electrokinetic body forces are adopted to model EGL. On the other hand, the Stokes equation modified with the Coulomb body force is used to govern the flow of plasma. This study is analytical where a standard perturbation approach is deployed in the governing momentum balance equations which are subsequently solved by Fourier series expansion analysis. In the next part of the study, the diffusion-convection equation is adopted in the plasma region to study the blood-borne solute transport from plasma to EGL under the electrokinetic influence. Using a similarity method, the solute concentration within a thin mass transfer boundary layer close to the EGL interface is obtained. The present study reveals that a higher magnitude of both interface potential and charge density promotes the volumetric flow rate of plasma and the interface skin friction. Moreover, increased interface potential and charge density show the enhancement of solute transport from the plasma region to the EGL. Finally, this study finds criteria to identify a healthy EGL.