Comparison of Doppler ultrasound flow resistance indices in beta-thalassemic, sickle cell anemic and control mice

Sickle cell anemia and β-thalassemia are two genetic hematological diseases. These conditions trigger thromboembolic events and microcirculatory disorders generating an increase in vascular resistance to blood flow, which can be measured by radiological techniques. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the possibility of measuring non-invasively peripheral vascular resistance to blood flow in mice using a high-frequency ultrasound imaging system. Four groups were included in the study: 9 control mice, 16 β-thalassemic mice (Hbb^d-thald-thal/) and 9 sickle cell anemic mice (α-/- SAD). The Pourcelot resistive index was used to characterize Doppler waveforms of the carotid artery and abdominal aorta. Resistive indices were significantly increased (p<0.05) in β-thalassemic and sickle cell anemic mice compared to controls in both arteries. Measurements of echographic resistive indices allowed detecting the consequences of microrheological blood flow disorders in these small experimental animals. This finding is of high significance in the context of functional genomic studies.