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1.
Hypochromic red cells as predictors of anemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis: an observational retrospective study.
Kee, YK, Jeon, HJ, Oh, J, Shin, DH
Scientific reports. 2021;(1):24215
Abstract
The percentage of hypochromic red blood cells (%HRC) estimates the availability of iron by evaluating the degree of hemoglobinization. We investigated whether %HRC was a predictor of anemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis. We recruited 142 patients undergoing routine hemodialysis between 2017 and 2019. Delta hemoglobin level (ΔHb)1mo-baseline was calculated as the difference between the hemoglobin level at 1 month after study enrollment and that at the time of study enrollment. Development of anemia was defined as hemoglobin level ≤ 15% of baseline. The median %HRC was 3.1%. There was a significant negative correlation between (ΔHb)1mo- baseline and %HRC (r = - 0.63, P < 0.001). The incidence of anemia was significantly higher in patients with %HRC > 3.1% than in those with %HRC ≤ 3.1%. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, %HRC was significantly related to the development of anemia (odds ratio 2.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.72-3.85, P < 0.001). The best cutoff value for %HRC to predict the development of anemia was 4.3%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 67.74 (95% CI, 54.7-79.1) and 97.50 (95% CI, 91.3- 99.7), respectively. %HRC is an independent predictor of anemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis. %HRC ≤ 4.3% is an early marker to consider changing the anemia treatment.
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2.
Fetal oxygen supply can be improved by an effective cross-talk between fetal erythrocytes and vascular endothelium.
Chakraborty, P, Khamit, A, Hermesz, E
Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease. 2021;(11):166243
Abstract
In twin/multiple pregnancy, siblings experience an adverse intrauterine environment which forms the major etiological factor leading to pathological conditions. The status of the developing fetus is highly determined by the nitric oxide (NO) level, that facilitates vasodilation which in turn modulates the oxygen and nutrition supply. As the umbilical cord (UC) lacks innervation, activation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) is fundamental to maintain adequate NO production. Recent ground breaking fact showed that under stress conditions, circulating red blood cells (RBCs) can actively produces NO as a "rescue mechanism". Therefore, this study majorly focused on the molecular mechanisms that affected the redox environment by altering NOS3 activation - both in the UC arteries and vein endothelium and RBCs - that have impacts on developmental parameters, like birth weight. In connection to that, we pursued the communication efficiency between the vessels' endothelium and the circulating RBCs in demand of bioavailable NO. Our results indicated that twinning itself at stage 33-35 weeks, does not reduce the NOS3 level and its phosphorylation status in the cord vessels. However, RBC-NOS3 activation is highly upregulated during this period - providing additional evidence for the active regulatory role of fetal RBCs in the rate of blood flow - and this functional activity highly correlates with the birth weight of the fetuses. Detailed analysis on NOS3 signalling at different time points of gestation could establish a benchmark in understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the process of developing neonatal vascular diseases.
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3.
Omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in red blood cell membrane are associated with xerostomia and taste loss in patients with breast cancer.
Amézaga, J, Ugartemendia, G, Larraioz, A, Bretaña, N, Iruretagoyena, A, Camba, J, Urruticoechea, A, Ferreri, C, Tueros, I
Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids. 2021;:102336
Abstract
Chemosensory and physical complaints are common disorders in cancer patients under chemotherapy treatments that may affect the food intake, leading to a decreased quality of life. Lipid metabolism is a major pathway of cancer proliferation, where erythrocyte membrane phospholipids and their fatty acid composition are promising tools for monitoring metabolic pathways. Relationship between lipid profile in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids and chemosensory alterations in 44 newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer was here investigated. Smell changes and xerostomia were the most common complaints, with xerostomia as the main influencing factor on the development of other taste disorders. Lipid profiles revealed significant negative correlation between diminution of linoleic acid levels and xerostomia as well as positive correlation between increased arachidonic acid and salty taste. The involvement of these polyunsaturated lipids suggests the importance of oxidative and nutritional conditions of cancer patients, which can affect the molecular status for taste signals.
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4.
Total serum and intraerythrocyte magnesium concentrations in hemodialysis patients using different dialysate solutions.
Kusic, J, Markovic, R, Andjelkovic Apostolovic, M, Dragovic, G
Magnesium research. 2020;(2):28-36
Abstract
Beside routinely used 0.5 mmol/L dialysate-magnesium, higher dialysate-magnesium (1.0 mmol/L) was recently introduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different dialysate-magnesium on serum and intraerythrocyte levels of magnesium (Mg) before and after dialysis. The study included 43 patients receiving chronic hemodialysis, divided into two groups based on dialysate-magnesium (0.5 or 1.0 mmol/L) used prior to study initiation and during 12 months of follow-up. Blood samples were taken at the mid-week dialysis; total serum Mg was measured colorimetrically and intraerythrocyte Mg by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Hypermagnesiemia-associated complications were observed for 12 months. Total serum Mg was 1.14 ± 0.19 mmol/L before and 0.95 ± 0.16 mmol/L after dialysis in patients using lower dialysate-Mg (p < 0.001), whereas it was 1.47 ± 0.25 mmol/L before and 1.49 ± 0.18 mmol/L after dialysis in patients using higher dialysate-Mg (p = 0.926). Intraerythrocyte Mg was 1.98 ± 0.34 mmol/L before and 1.97 ± 0.28 mmol/L after dialysis in the lower dialysate-Mg group (p = 0.939), while it was 2.09 ± 0.37 mmol/L before and 2.19 ± 0.48 mmol/L after dialysis in the higher dialysate group (p = 0.067). After 12 months total serum Mg decreased in both the groups, remaining lower in 0.5 mmol/L dialysate-Mg group. No hypermagnesiemia-related symptoms occur during 12 months of follow-up in both the groups. In patients using lower dialysate-Mg total serum Mg remains within the reference range and shows postdialytic decline, while in higher dialysate-Mg group it exceeded reference range before and after dialysis without significant intradialytic change. The intraerythrocyte values remain within reference range with both dialysates used. No clinical signs and symptoms of hypermagnesiemia occur during longer administration of higher dialysate-magnesium despite high total serum Mg level.
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5.
Maternal DHA Status during Pregnancy Has a Positive Impact on Infant Problem Solving: A Norwegian Prospective Observation Study.
Braarud, HC, Markhus, MW, Skotheim, S, Stormark, KM, Frøyland, L, Graff, IE, Kjellevold, M
Nutrients. 2018;(5)
Abstract
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6, n-3) is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid necessary for normal brain growth and cognitive development. Seafood and dietary supplements are the primary dietary sources of DHA. This study addresses the associations between DHA status in pregnant women and healthy, term-born infant problem-solving skills assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. The fatty acid status of maternal red blood cells (RBCs) was assessed in the 28th week of gestation and at three months postpartum. The infants’ fatty acid status (RBC) was assessed at three, six, and twelve months, and problem-solving skills were assessed at six and twelve months. Maternal DHA status in pregnancy was found to be positively associated with infants’ problem-solving skills at 12 months. This association remained significant even after controlling for the level of maternal education, a surrogate for socio-economic status. The infants’ DHA status at three months was associated with the infants’ problem solving at 12 months. The results accentuate the importance for pregnant and lactating women to have a satisfactory DHA status from dietary intake of seafood or other sources rich in DHA.
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6.
Erythrocyte SOD1 activity, but not SOD1 polymorphisms, is associated with ICU mortality in patients with septic shock.
Costa, NA, Cunha, NB, Gut, AL, Azevedo, PS, Polegato, BF, Zornoff, LAM, de Paiva, SAR, Reis, BZ, Fernandes, AAH, Rogero, MM, et al
Free radical biology & medicine. 2018;:199-204
Abstract
The objective of our study was to evaluate the influence of the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) polymorphisms on erythrocyte SOD1 activity and the mortality of patients with septic shock. We prospectively evaluated 175 patients aged over 18 years with septic shock upon ICU admission. However, 38 patients were excluded. Thus, 137 patients were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken within the first 24 h of the patient's admission to determine erythrocyte SOD1 activity and nine SOD1 gene polymorphisms. The mean patient age was 63 ± 16 years, 58% were men, and ICU mortality rate was 66%. The patients who died were older and more severely ill, with higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, as well as higher lactate, urea, and protein carbonyl levels. In the logistic regression model, erythrocyte SOD1 activity was associated with ICU mortality. This relationship was also maintained in the highest tertile of SOD1 activity (odds ratio [OR]: 0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.00-0.78; p = 0.037). Only SNP rs2070424 of the SOD1 gene influenced erythrocyte SOD1 activity. For patients with the AA allele, the activity of SOD1 was lower in relation to G-carriers (A/G+G/G genotype) (p = 0.019). None of the nine SOD1 SNPs were associated with ICU mortality. In conclusion, the SNP rs2070424 of the SOD1 gene interferes with erythrocyte SOD1 activity, and higher activity of SOD1 was associated with decreased mortality in patients with septic shock.
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7.
Prospective Associations of Erythrocyte Composition and Dietary Intake of n-3 and n-6 PUFA with Measures of Cognitive Function.
Bigornia, SJ, Scott, TM, Harris, WS, Tucker, KL
Nutrients. 2018;(9)
Abstract
Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) consumption is recommended as part of a healthy diet, but evidence of the impact of individual species and biological concentrations on cognitive function is limited. We examined prospective associations of PUFA erythrocyte composition and dietary intake with measures of cognitive function among participants of the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (aged 57 years). Erythrocyte and dietary PUFA composition were ascertained at baseline and associated with 2-year scores on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) (n = 1032) and cognitive domain patterns derived from a battery of tests (n = 865), as well as with incidence of cognitive impairment. Erythrocyte and dietary n-3 PUFA were not significantly associated with MMSE score. However, total erythrocyte and dietary n-3 very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA), and intake of individual species, were associated with better executive function (P-trend < 0.05, for all). There was evidence that greater erythrocyte n-6 eicosadienoic acid concentration was associated with lower MMSE and executive function scores (P-trend = 0.02). Only erythrocyte arachidonic acid (ARA) concentration predicted cognitive impairment (Odds Ratio = 1.26; P = 0.01). Among Puerto Rican adults, we found that n-3 VLCFA consumption may beneficially impact executive function. Further, these findings provide some evidence that n-6 metabolism favoring greater ARA tissue incorporation, but not necessarily dietary intake, could increase the risk of cognitive impairment.
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8.
The Impact of Surgery and Stored Red Blood Cell Transfusions on Nitric Oxide Homeostasis.
Nagababu, E, Scott, AV, Johnson, DJ, Goyal, A, Lipsitz, JA, Barodka, VM, Berkowitz, DE, Frank, SM
Anesthesia and analgesia. 2016;(2):274-82
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell-free hemoglobin (Hb) forms in stored red blood cells (RBCs) as a result of hemolysis. Studies suggest that this cell-free Hb may decrease nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, potentially leading to endothelial dysfunction, vascular injury, and multiorgan dysfunction after transfusion. We tested the hypothesis that moderate doses of stored RBC transfusions increase cell-free Hb and decrease NO availability in postoperative surgical patients. METHODS Twenty-six patients undergoing multilevel spine fusion surgery were studied. We compared those who received no stored RBCs (n = 9) with those who received moderate amounts (6.1 ± 3.0 units) of stored RBCs over 3 perioperative days (n = 17). Percent hemolysis (cell-free Hb), RBC-NO (heme-NO), and plasma nitrite and nitrate were measured in samples from the stored RBC bags and from patients' blood, before and after surgery. RESULTS Posttransfusion hemolysis was increased approximately 3.5-fold over preoperative levels (P = 0.0002) in blood samples collected immediately after surgery but not on postoperative days 1 to 3. Decreases in both heme-NO (by approximately 50%) and plasma nitrite (by approximately 40%) occurred postoperatively, both in nontransfused patients (P = 0.036 and P = 0.026, respectively) and transfused patients (P = 0.0068 and P = 0.003, respectively) and returned to preoperative baseline levels by postoperative day 2 or 3. Postoperative plasma nitrite and nitrate were decreased significantly in both groups, and this change was slower to return to baseline in the transfused patients, suggesting that blood loss and hemodilution from crystalloid administration contribute to this finding. CONCLUSIONS The decrease in NO metabolites occurred irrespective of stored RBC transfusions, suggesting this decrease may be related to blood loss during surgery and hemodilution rather than to scavenging of NO or inhibition of NO synthesis by stored RBC transfusions.
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9.
Impact of red blood cells count on the relationship between high density lipoproteins and the prevalence and extent of coronary artery disease: a single centre study [corrected].
Schaffer, A, Verdoia, M, Cassetti, E, Barbieri, L, Perrone-Filardi, P, Marino, P, De Luca, G
Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis. 2015;(1):61-8
Abstract
We have hypothesized that high red blood cells (RBC) count can potentially play an atheroprotective role in patients with coronary atherosclerosis. We, therefore, have investigated the relationship between high density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-C) and RBC levels in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of mortality. Impaired lipid profile represents a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. High density lipoprotein (HDL) is a key factor in atherosclerosis disease development. RBC can mimic HDL's reverse cholesterol transportation with a potential atheroprotective role. Coronary angiography has been evaluated in 3,534 patients. Fasting samples were collected for haematology and lipids levels assessment. Coronary disease was defined for at least 1 vessel stenosis >50 %. Patients were divided according to HDL-C and RBC tertiles. Lower HDL-C was significantly associated to the prevalence of CAD (84.8 vs 78.5 vs 67.3 %, p ≤ 0.001; adjusted OR [95 % CI] = 1.55 [1.3-1.8], p < 0.001) and severe CAD (30 % vs 30 % vs 24.4 %, p = 0.002; adjusted OR [95 % CI] = 1.08 [1.01-1.16], p = 0.02), this relationship was maintained even dividing our population according to RBC tertiles (p < 0.001).In conclusion, HDL-C levels are directly related to RBC count and inversely to the prevalence and extent of coronary disease. Higher RBC levels can reduce the risk of CAD in patients with lower HDL-C levels, suggesting an important atheroprotective role.
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10.
Red Blood Cell Distribution Width and the Platelet Count in Iron-deficient Children Aged 0.5-3 Years.
Akkermans, MD, Uijterschout, L, Vloemans, J, Teunisse, PP, Hudig, F, Bubbers, S, Verbruggen, S, Veldhorst, M, de Leeuw, TG, van Goudoever, JB, et al
Pediatric hematology and oncology. 2015;(8):624-32
Abstract
Early detection of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in young children is important to prevent impaired neurodevelopment. Unfortunately, many biomarkers of ID are influenced by infection, thus limiting their usefulness. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and the platelet count for detecting ID(A) among otherwise healthy children. A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in the Netherlands to investigate the prevalence of ID(A) in 400 healthy children aged 0.5-3 years. ID was defined as serum ferritin (SF) <12 μg/L in the absence of infection (C-reactive protein [CRP] <5 mg/L) and IDA as hemoglobin <110 g/L combined with ID. RDW (%) and the platelet count were determined in the complete blood cell count. RDW was inversely correlated with SF and not associated with CRP. Calculated cutoff values for RDW to detect ID and IDA gave a relatively low sensitivity (53.1% and 57.1%, respectively) and specificity (64.7% and 69.9%, respectively). Anemic children with a RDW >14.3% had a 2.7 higher odds (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-6.3) to be iron deficient, compared with anemic children with a RDW <14.3%. The platelet count showed a large range in both ID and non-ID children. In conclusion, RDW can be helpful for identifying ID as the cause of anemia in 0.5- to 3-year-old children, but not as primary biomarker of ID(A). RDW values are not influenced by the presence of infection. There appears to be no role for the platelet count in diagnosing ID(A) in this group of children.