Viscosity Measurements of Suspensions of Hemoglobin-Containing Liposomes of Varying Lipid Composition

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Abstract
The viscosity of suspensions of hemoglobin-containing liposomes (Hb liposomes) and of liposomes without Hb was determined as a function of the shear rate. Liposomes of varying lipid composition were prepared by detergent dialysis. All liposome suspensions showed non-Newtonian viscous behavior, as did erythrocyte suspensions. The viscosity of suspensions of Hb liposomes with a bilayer consisting of egg yolk lecithin and phosphatidylserine was almost identical to erythrocyte suspension viscosity. When cholesterol was included in the lipid component of the Hb liposomes, the dependence of viscosity on the shear rate decreased (flattening of the curve), but overall suspension viscosity became higher than that of erythrocyte suspensions. Evidence is provided for the lipid concentration at which liposomes can be applied intravenously.