Guck, J., An, W., Schinkinger, S. and Wottawah, S. (2007) Optical Stretcher for the Mechanical Characterization of Individual Cells. Methods in Cell Biology, 83, 167-190.

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Impact of Sugar on the Mechanical Properties of Red Blood Cells Assessed by Optical Tweezers

  AUTHORS: Pavel Yale, Abade Ange-Boris N’Guessan, Guy-Oscar Regnima, Jean Michel Edoukoua Konin, Henri Joel Kouassi Loukou, Michel Abaka Kouacou, Jérémie Thouakesseh Zoueu

  KEYWORDS: Red Blood Cell, Optical Tweezers, Hyperglycemia, Shear Modulus, Viscoelasticity, Relaxation Time

  JOURNAL NAME: Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, Vol.13 No.12, December 26, 2025

  ABSTRACT: The deformability of red blood cells is a mechanical property that is essential for effective blood microcirculation. Pathological metabolic conditions, particularly chronic hyperglycemia associated with diabetes, cause these cells to stiffen, contributing to microvascular complications. This study aims to quantify the impact of glucose exposure on the viscoelastic properties of human erythrocytes using an optical tweezers technique. Healthy erythrocytes were incubated under simulated hyperglycemia conditions for 2 hours. The microbead, trapped by a laser, was used to indent the red blood cell membrane and measure force relaxation over time. The results reveal an increase in relaxation time and a reduction in the viscous component of the membrane. The optical tweezers method is thus established as a sensitive and quantitative tool for assessing mechanical damage to erythrocytes, offering prospects for early diagnosis of the impact of diabetes on microcirculation.