Blood, 1968, Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 278-291.
© 1968 American Society of Hematology, Inc.
Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia in Rats
with Malignant Hypertension
M. A. VENKATACHALAM M.B., B.S.1,
DAVID B. JONES M.D.2, and
DOUGLAS A. NELSON M.D.3
1 State University of
New York, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, N. Y.
2 Department of
Pathology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, N. Y.
3 Division of Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, N. Y.
Unilaterally nephrectomized rats given desoxycorticosterone and salt load developed malignant hypertension with widespread vascular lesions and, coincidentally, a hemolytic anemia. The anemia was characterized by red cell
fragmentation, increased erythrocyte osmotic fragility, and evidence of both intravascular and extravascular hemolysis. Thrombocytopenia was not observed.
Male rats were more severely affected than female animals. The degree of
anemia correlated well with the severity of the vascular lesions, but not with
the level of blood urea nitrogen.
Based upon electron microscopic observations of the relationship of red cells
to damaged endothelial cells and thrombi, possible mechanisms for the red cell
fragmentation are discussed.
Submitted on October 2, 1967
Accepted on February 5, 1968
