Reticulocyte profile in top-level alpine skiers during four consecutive competitive seasons

The role of reticulocytes (Ret) in sports medicine became clear when the count of immature erythrocytes was introduced in protocols used for anti-doping purposes. Because specific research regarding seasonal variations in Ret is lacking, we assessed Ret (and [Hb]) in top-level male and female skiers during four consecutive competitive seasons. A difference (P < 0.05) between males and females was found for [Hb] and Ret values: [Hb] was lower and Ret was higher in females. The difference was maintained across all four competitive seasons. Marked within-subject differences in [Hb], Ret and immature reticulocyte fraction values were noted; the within-subject variability was greater than the between-subject variability in both genders. For instance, a difference for Ret was consistently shown between first and second blood drawings, i.e. between basal value, before the start of training and competition, and the value at middle of season, when training workload was at highest level. Unlike Ret%, the analysis of variance showed significant changes in [Hb] values across competitive seasons for both genders. Comparison between consecutive seasons (e.g., 2005–2006 vs. 2006–2007) showed significant differences for both parameters. The behaviour of [Hb] and Ret during the various seasons was parallel in females, whereas a discrepancy existed in males. In general, inter-individual variability is quite high, thus, Ret and [Hb] modifications should be referred only to the single athlete. We confirm the validity of the use of Ret counts for anti-doping purposes.     

Microcytosis associated with sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell (Hb SS) anemia is considered a normochromic-normocytic hemolytic disorder. In 53 patients with Hb SS (mean reticulocyte values 16.8%), the authors observed that mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) was 29.8 +/- 2.4 mu microgram and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCV) was 88.1 +/- 6.8 cu micrometers. In contrast, patients in a comparable hemolytic-disease group unrelated to hemoglobinopathies (mean reticulocyte count = 15.7%) had a higher MCH (33.0 +/- 1.8 mu microgram) and larger MCV (97 +/- 5.3 cu micrometers). These data indicate that Hb SS disease is associated with "relative microcytosis," presumably a consequence of reduced hemoglobin production.     

Beneficial effects of exercising at moderate altitude on red cell oxygen transport and on exercise performance

The effect of a ascent to moderate altitude (2,300 m) and altitude training on the O₂-transport properties of Hb and their possible consequences on tissue oxygenation during exercise were studied on six control and six training subjects. A rapid increase in P-50 values (+2.4 mm Hg, 0.32 kPa) was measured within one day after ascent. At the end of the stay at altitude (13th day) P-50 values were higher in subjects performing training than in controls. At altitude a slow but constant increase in 2,3-DPG, pyruvate kinase activity and reticulocyte count was found, which was more pronounced in training subjects as compared to controls. Ascent to altitude resulted in a decreased maximal performance capacity (–9%), but both groups recovered during the stay. In training subjects maximal exercise performance was increased after descent. Exercise at altitude was performed at a lower heart rate (controls: –10/min; training: –18/min) and at a lower lactate concentration (–4 mmol/l). These data indicate a positive effect of adaptation to altitude on exercise performance. Training itself shifts the ODC to the right and adds this effect to the effects of passive altitude adaptation on the O₂-binding properties of hemoglobin.Parts of this study have been presented at the ISOTT meeting in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 1984     

Haematological and iron-related parameters of male endurance and strength trained athletes

Summary To obtain more information on the effects of long-lasting endurance and strength training on the constituents of the blood, several haematological and iron-related parameters were measured at rest in 39 male athletes from the Polish team who participated in the Olympics in Seoul in 1988. The athletes were divided into two groups: endurance-trained subjects (group E, cyclists, canoeists and rowers; n=22) and strength-trained subjects (group S, wrestlers and judo; n=17). The control group was composed of untrained male subjects (n=48). Blood samples were taken from an antecubital vein with the subject at rest for determinations of haemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte (RBC) and reticulocyte count, plasma free haemoglobin concentration, haptoglobin concentration, serum iron, transferrin concentration and ferritin concentrations ([Ferr]); red blood cells were used for estimation of glutamato-oxalate transaminase (GOT) activity and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration ([FEP]). The mean [Hb], PVC, RBC measured in the E athletes were significantly lower than in the control group but were comparable to those obtained in the S athletes. There were no significantly differences in the haematological indices [mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean copuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration] between the groups of athletes and the control group. A significant increase in reticulocytosis and GOT activity was observed in the endurance-trained athletes. No impairment of erythropoiesis was observed as indicated by several sensitive markers of haemoglobin formation (FEP, MCV and inspection of blood smears) in the athletes. The athletes from group E had mean serum [Ferr] below 50 g·l^–1 which was significantly lower than [Ferr] in the serum of subjects from the control group and the strength-trained athletes. The results of the present investigation showed that some haematological parameters and the iron status of the endurance athletes differed from the untrained subjects as well as the strength-trained athletes.     

Status of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in goats naturally infected with Babesia ovis

This study aimed to assess lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in goats naturally infected with Babesia ovis. Red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) activities and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined in 15 goats naturally infected with B. ovis as well as same number of healthy goats. The parasitological diagnosis was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis by amplifying a partial 18S rRNA gene sequence of B. ovis. Percentage of parasitemia varied from 0.01 to 1%. The activities of erythrocyte GSH-Px, SOD, CAT and TAC were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the infected goats than in healthy ones. MDA concentration in erythrocytes of infected goats was significantly higher in infected goats than in healthy ones (p?0.05). Severity of parasitemia showed a positive correlation with the MDA and negative correlation with PCV, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and TAC. Also, MDA was negatively correlated with PCV, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and TAC. The results of this study suggested that oxidative damage to RBCs may contribute to the pathogenesis of anemia in caprine babesiosis.     

Erythropoiesis-stimulating factor(s), erythropoiesis and erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in young rabbits with marked post-natal fall in haemoglobin

The erythropoietic activity and erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) were studied during and after the nadir of the post-natal anaemia in normal, rapidly growing rabbits, from the 12th to the 35th day after birth. Whole blood haemoglobin (Hb) decreased from 9.3 g dl-1 on the 12th to 4.9 g dl-1 on the 25th day, while erythropoiesis-stimulating factor(s) (ESF) in plasma (determined by a cell culture assay) concomitantly rose from undetectable to high levels. In spite of marked rise in body weight, from 250 to 480 g, estimated haemoglobin mass (Hb mass) and reticulocyte mass production rate (Rt prod) remained essentially the same, about 1.8 g and 0.3 ml day-1. From the 25th to the 35th day, ESF decreased to a lower level, while Hb increased to 10.8 g dl-1 and Hb mass and Rt prod rose sharply, to 6.9 and 1.2 ml day-1. The 2,3-DPG rose markedly during the observation period, but showed a transient decline on the 29th day, simultaneously with the peak in reticulocyte counts (Rt) (24%) and release of young erythrocytes with low 2,3-DPG. The data indicate that the regions governing the erythropoietin production/release became increasingly sensitive to hypoxia during the observation period. The possibility also exists that the increase in ESF was due only in part to hypoxic stimulation. It could be related to the maturation of the animal in other ways, such as shift from extra-renal to renal erythropoietin production and the growth. The lack of response to increasing stimulation indicates that the erythropoiesis was restricted by the availability of iron and/or other factors necessary for erythrocyte and haemoglobin production.     

Lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte superoxide-dismutase activity and trace metals in young male footballers

Physical training is known to induce oxidative stress in individuals subjected to intense exercise. In this study, we investigated plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of 25 young male footballers and a control group of similar age. Red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct) values, and copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels were also examined. The maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) of all subjects was determined in order to establish their functional capacity. The main finding of the present study was that plasma MDA levels, one of the most commonly used markers of lipid peroxidation, of this group of footballers aged under 21 decreased slightly when compared with those of the control group (p < 0.001). In contrast, erythrocyte SOD activity was higher in the footballer group than in the controls (p < 0.001). Footballers who are under regular training showed an improved antioxidant activity in comparison to sedentary controls. Plasma copper concentration, RBC count and Hb concentration of the footballer group were all significantly lower than those of the control group, (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). Investigating the footballers' data with Spearman's correlation analyses, the correlation coefficients (r) between Zn/Cu ratio and SOD was positive (r=0.44; p < 0.05); and between VO2max and SOD (r=0.42; p < 0.05) were both positive. On the basis of statistical analysis, we suggest that regular exercise may be beneficial in cases of oxidative damage by reducing the amount of lipid peroxidation and increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzyme SOD.     

Erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and erythropoietic activity in rabbits with severe bleeding anaemia superimposed in the early post-natal fall in haemoglobin

Erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), whole blood haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and reticulocyte percentage (Rt) were determined before and after bleeding in two groups of suckling chinchilla rabbits. One group was subjected to severe bleeding on the 12th, 15th, 18th and 21st day after birth and studied for 3 weeks, while the other was studied during the first 24 h after one severe bleeding on the 18th day. In the first group Hb and Hct fell to 2.7 g . dl-1 and 11.5%, respectively, on the 25th day. The fall was accompanied by a marked rise in Rt and decline in MCHC, reaching maximum and minimum on the 29th day, and a simultaneous, temporary decline in 2,3-DPG. In the other group the acute bleeding was accompanied by a marked fall in Hb and Hct, but no change in Rt and MCHC. 2,3-DPG was unchanged 8 h after the bleeding, but showed a rise during the following 16 h, definitely beyond the normal rise at this age. It is concluded that severe bleeding anaemia induces a rise in erythrocyte 2,3-DPG synthesis. However, the effect of the acute rise in 2,3-DPG is far from sufficient to maintain the O2 delivery capacity of the blood, and is completely offset by the influence of a subsequent change in the erythrocyte population towards younger cells with low 2,3-DPG.     

Acute-phase proteins and hematologic values in ovine lentivirus-infected lambs treated with recombinant ovine IFN-tau.

To evaluate changes in complete blood cell (CBC) counts, haptoglobin and fibrinogen in ovine lentivirus (OvLV)-infected lambs treated with recombinant ovine interferon-tau (rOVIFN-tau), 24 lambs were allocated to one of four groups (n = 6 per group): (1) virus + rOvIFN-tau, VI, (2) virus + placebo, VP, (3) no virus + rOVIFN-tau, NVI, and (4) no virus + placebo, NVP. Three lambs in each group were treated once a day for 12 weeks, and the remaining 3 lambs were treated for 33 weeks. Blood was collected at days 0, 7, and 10 and at weeks 2-10, 12, 32, and 33 to determine CBC counts, as well as haptoglobin and fibrinogen levels. Hematologic values remained within normal limits in all groups. However, hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and packed cell volume (PCV) values decreased (p < 0.05) in the two rOvIFN-tau-treated groups (VI and NVI) compared with the placebo-treated (VP and NVP) groups. Both rOvIFN-upsilon and OvLV had a mild negative effect on neutrophil numbers. Although Hb, MCV, MCHC, PCV, and neutrophil values declined in the rOvIFN-tau-treated lambs compared with the placebo-treated lambs, these values remained within the reference range for sheep. Experimental lambs did not show adverse clinical signs associated with OvLV infection or as a result of rOvIFN-tau treatment. The lack of significant side effects of high-dose rOvIFN-tau in sheep and previous reports of broad-spectrum and cross-species antiviral activity suggest that rOvIFN-tau warrants further investigation as an antiviral therapeutic agent.     

Ameliorative effect of vitamin C on the haematological changes induced by exposure of chlorpyriphos and lead acetate in Wistar rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of chlorpyriphos, lead acetate and vitamin C alone and in combinations, on various haematological parameters in Wistar rats. Rats of 150–200 g body weight were divided into eight groups of six animals each and were subjected to various daily oral treatment regimes for 98 days. Group C served as control receiving only corn oil, group CP received chlorpyriphos at 5.5 mg/kg in corn oil and group L received lead acetate at100?ppm in water, whereas animals in group CP + L received a combination of chlorpyriphos at 5.5 mg/kg in corn oil and lead acetate at 100 ppm in water. Group VC received vitamin C at 100 mg/kg in water; group CP + VC received a combination of chlorpyriphos at 5.5 mg/kg and vitamin C at 100 mg/kg; group L + VC received lead acetate at 100 ppm in water and vitamin C at 100 mg/kg and group CP + L + VC received chlorpyriphos at 5.5 mg/kg, lead acetate at 100 ppm in water and vitamin C at 100 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 30, 60 and 98 post exposure and analysed for packed cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total leucocyte count (TLC) and differential leucocyte count. A significant decrease in TEC, PCV and Hb and a significant increase in ESR values were observed. However, lead acetate caused an increase in TLC while chlorpyriphos resulted in a decrease in TLC. Both of these toxicants potentiated toxicity of each other. The study demonstrated that treatment of chlorpyriphos- and lead-treated rats with vitamin C significantly altered some of the important haematological parameters revealing the protective effect of this vitamin against haematological alterations induced by chlorpyriphos and lead.     

Erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and erythropoietic activity in rabbits with severe bleeding anaemia superimposed on the early post-natal fall in haemoglobin

Erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), whole blood haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and reticulocyte percentage (Rt) were determined before and after bleeding in two groups of suckling chinchilla rabbits. One group was subjected to severe bleeding on the 12th, 15th, 18th and 21st day after birth and studied for 3 weeks, while the other was studied during the first 24 h after one severe bleeding on the 18th day. In the first group Hb and Hct fell to 2.7 g.dl^-1 and 11.5%, respectively, on the 25th day. The fall was accompanied by a marked rise in Rt and decline in MCHC, reaching maximum and minimum on the 29th day, and a simultaneous, temporary decline in 2,3-DPG. In the other group the acute bleeding was accompanied by a marked fall in Hb and Hct, but no change in Rt and MCHC. 2,3-DPG was unchanged 8 h after the bleeding, but showed a rise during the following 16 h, definitely beyond the normal rise at this age. It is concluded that severe bleeding anaemia induces a rise in erythrocyte 2,3-DPG synthesis. However, the effect of the acute rise in 2,3-DPG is far from sufficient to maintain the O₂ delivery capacity of the blood, and is completely offset by the influence of a subsequent change in the erythrocyte population towards younger cells with low 2,3-DPG.     

重组人促红素的不同起始使用时间与早产儿贫血程度的关系

目的观察重组人促红细胞生成素（rHuEPO）的不同起始应用时间与早产儿贫血程度的关系。方法将2004年7月至2006年11月收治的小早产儿（胎龄〈34周．体重〈1800g）41例随机分为早应用组（A组）（21例）和晚应用组（B组）（20例）。早应用组于生后7d内开始给rHuEPO200IU／（kg·次），皮下注射，隔日1次．每周3次，共3-6周；晚应用组于早产儿血红蛋白〈140g／L时开始给rHu EPO 200IU／（kg·次），皮下注射，隔日1次，每周3次，共3-6周。观察两组早产儿血红蛋白（Hb）、红细胞压积（Hct）、网织红细胞（Ret）的动态变化。结果两组早产儿生后Hb、Hct均逐渐下降，但早应用组下降明显小于晚应用组，经t检验，两组之间差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05．P〈0.01）。早应用组两周后Ret升高较晚用组明显，差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01，P〈0．05）。晚应用组有4例输血，早应用组无一例输血，经精确χ2检验。差异有统计学意义（P=0.019）。结论早产儿在生后一周内血红蛋白正常时应用rHuEPO效果好，即早产儿早用rHuEPO对预防贫血有积极意义，出现贫血后再用可能意义不大。     

Haematological changes and anaemia associated with captivity and petroleum exposure in seabirds

Free-ranging marine birds are severely impacted by petroleum released into the environment. Although petroleum can affect many organ systems, oxidative damage to red blood cells (RBC) and development of Heinz body anaemia is the only known mechanism of RBC damage in oil-exposed marine birds. Rhinoceros auklets (Cerrorhinca monocerata) were orally exposed to 0, 2.5 or 10 ml of Prudhoe Bay crude oil/kg body weight for five consecutive days by gavage tube. No statistically significant differences between treatment groups were evident for the following blood parameters: packed cell volume (PCV); haemoglobin concentration (Hb); mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC); reticulocyte percentage: fibrinogen concentration; white blood cell count (WBC); and cell counts of heterophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. After petroleum exposure, blood samples from auklets did not have any evidence of haemolysis, oxidative RBC damage or Heinz body formation as determined by new methylene blue staining of blood smears. Anaemia developed in both oil-exposed and unexposed auklets within 3 weeks of being captured and placed in captivity. Anaemia persisted throughout the duration of the study (77 days). Statistically significant differences over time were identified for PCV, Hb concentration, MCHC, reticulocyte percentage, fibrinogen concentration and lymphocyte, eosinophil and basophil numbers in auklets, without regard to petroleum exposure status. A mild transient regenerative response was noted after gavaging birds with either petroleum or sterile saline, however, the PCV never returned to levels measured immediately after capture. It is likely that anaemia associated with petroleum exposure in seabirds is multifactorial and may be associated with the sedentary nature of captivity, a variety of captivity associated stressors and possibly, the age of affected birds. Furthermore, neither inflammatory nor acute phase responses were consistent indicators of petroleum ingestion.     

The progressive effects of athletic training on the red and white blood cells and the total plasma protein

Summary and Conclusions Previous studies have shown that hard physical training first lowers, then gradually raises the total amount of hemoglobin. Variable results have been reported on the white blood cell count and the total plasma protein. This study was undertaken in an attempt to obtain progressive data on human subjects throughout an entire season of training for sports.Three graduate students served as subjects. One underwent an extremely hard athletic training program. The second participated in a program of moderate intensity. The third subject served as a constant control.No marked hematological changes related to the training program were observed in the subject undergoing a moderate athletic training program.In the subject who underwent a hard athletic training program, the hemoglobin percentage showed an initial drop followed by a subsequent rise. A similar trend was observed in the hemoglobin per erythrocyte values. A slightly higher number of leucocytes was noted at the end of the training period. These changes are interpreted as caused by the physical training.The differential white count and the total plasma protein showed no appreciable changes directly attributable to the training involved.Formerly Fulbright Scholar 1953–54 at the University of Illinois from the Norwegian Research Council for Sciene and Humanities.     

Haematological changes and anaemia associated with captivity and petroleum exposure in seabirds

Free-ranging marine birds are severely impacted by petroleum released into the environment. Although petroleum can affect many organ systems, oxidative damage to red blood cells (RBC) and development of Heinz body anaemia is the only known mechanism of RBC damage in oil-exposed marine birds. Rhinoceros auklets (Cerrorhinca monocerata) were orally exposed to 0, 2.5 or 10 ml of Prudhoe Bay crude oil/kg body weight for five consecutive days by gavage tube. No statistically significant differences between treatment groups were evident for the following blood parameters: packed cell volume (PCV); haemoglobin concentration (Hb); mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC); reticulocyte percentage: fibrinogen concentration; white blood cell count (WBC); and cell counts of heterophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. After petroleum exposure, blood samples from auklets did not have any evidence of haemolysis, oxidative RBC damage or Heinz body formation as determined by new methylene blue staining of blood smears. Anaemia developed in both oil-exposed and unexposed auklets within 3 weeks of being captured and placed in captivity. Anaemia persisted throughout the duration of the study (77 days). Statistically significant differences over time were identified for PCV, Hb concentration, MCHC, reticulocyte percentage, fibrinogen concentration and lymphocyte, eosinophil and basophil numbers in auklets, without regard to petroleum exposure status. A mild transient regenerative response was noted after gavaging birds with either petroleum or sterile saline, however, the PCV never returned to levels measured immediately after capture. It is likely that anaemia associated with petroleum exposure in seabirds is multifactorial and may be associated with the sedentary nature of captivity, a variety of captivity associated stressors and possibly, the age of affected birds. Furthermore, neither inflammatory nor acute phase responses were consistent indicators of petroleum ingestion.     

Effect of magnesium deficiency on erythrocyte aging in rats

Rats placed on a magnesium-deficient diet show decreased erythrocyte magnesium concentration, shortened erythrocyte survival, and erythrocyte membrane ultrastructure defects and become progressively anemic. Whether these pathologic processes are due to abnormal erythropoiesis or occur in the peripheral circulation is unknown. In the present study, magnesium and hemoglobin concentrations, reticulocyte count, erythrocyte pyrophosphatase, and pyruvate kinase activities were determined at weekly intervals for 6 weeks in whole blood and age-dependent erythrocyte fractions isolated from inbred Fisher rats fed a diet deficient in magnesium or the same diet with added magnesium. Freeze-fracture electron microscopic examinations were performed on age-dependent erythrocyte fractions to evaluate the membrane defect. The youngest red cells from magnesium-deficient rats were similar to those of control animals with respect to erythrocyte magnesium concentrations, pyrophosphatase activities, and membrane morphology. The older erythrocyte fractions from magnesium-deficient rats showed significant decreases in magnesium concentrations, pyrophosphatase activity, and the presence of membrane abnormalities. Thus, new erythrocytes produced in magnesium-deficient rats appear to be normal but rapidly develop biochemical and morphologic abnormalities with aging in a magnesium-deficient plasma environment.     

Incidence of megaloblastic anaemia and its correction in leishmaniasis--a prospective study at BPKIHS hospital, Nepal

Fifty (50) cases of Leishmaniasis were included in a prospective study after making the diagnosis based on the demonstration of L D Bodies on bone marrow aspirate. Hemoglobin (Hb) and total leucocyte count (TLC) were less than 10 gm/dl and 4000 per/ml respectively in 22 out of 50 cases. Among 50 cases, 30 showed macrocytic red cell and hypersegmented neutrophils on peripheral blood smear as features of megaloblastic anemia. Out of 30 cases of leishmaniasis with megaloblastic anemia, 10 cases showed decreased reticulocyte count. Bone marrow aspiration cytology showed megaloblastic maturation in erythroid series and giant metamyelocytes in myeloid series in all 30 cases of leishmaniasis with megaloblastic changes. Bone marrow iron was also increased in these cases. However megakaryocyte was normal in all. Among 30 cases of leishmaniasis with megaloblastic changes, 15 cases were treated with sodium antimony gluconate (SAG) only and other 15 with SAG, folic acid and Vit. B12. Rest 20 cases of leishmaniasis without megaloblastic changes were also treated with SAG only. After treatment with SAG alone as well as with SAG, folic acid and vit. B12, hemoglobin and TLC improved in all 50 cases. Of 15 cases of leishmaniasis with megaloblastic changes, who were treated with SAG, folic acid and vit. B12, the reticulocyte count reached at peak on the 7th day and normalized at the end of 4th week. Red blood cells (RBC) also became normocytic normochromic and neutrophils became normal on peripheral blood smear. But no change was observed in reticulocyte count, RBC and white blood cell (WBC) morphology on peripheral blood smear in cases of leishmaniasis without megaloblastic changes and other 15 cases of leishmaniasis with megaloblastic changes, who received SAG only.     

Maximal oxygen uptake and erythropoietic responses after training at moderate altitude

Summary Six well-trained male cross-country skiers trained for 7 days at 2700 m above sea level, their accommodation being at 1695 m. Blood samples for haemoglobin concentration [Hb], erythropoietin concentration [EPO] and reticulocyte count were collected before, during and after altitude exposure. Packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), transferrin-iron saturation, mean red cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), maximal oxygen uptake, maximal achieved ventilation and heart rate were determined pre- and postaltitude exposure. The [EPO] increased significantly from prealtitude (mean 36 mU·ml^–1, SD 5) to maximal altitude values (mean 47 mU·ml^–1, SD 3). The [Hb] had increased significantly above pre-altitude values (mean 8.8 mmol·l^–1, SD 0.5) on day 2 (mean 9.1 mmol·l^–1, SD 0.4) and day 7 (mean 9.4 mmol·l^–1, SD 0.4) at altitude and on day 4 postaltitude (mean 9.2 mmol·l^–1, SD 0.4). The reticulocyte counts had increased significantly above pre-altitude values (mean 6, SD 3) on day 3 at altitude (mean 12, SD 8) and day 4 postaltitude (mean 10, SD 5). The RBC counts had increased on the 4th postaltitude day. The transferrin-iron saturation had decreased below pre-altitude values (mean 23%, SD 4%) on day 4 postaltitude (mean 14%, SD 5%) and had increased on day 11 postaltitude (mean 22%, SD 7%). There were no significant changes in MCV, MCHC, PCV, maximal oxygen uptake and maximal achieved ventilation, and heart rate pre- to postaltitude. These observations demonstrated an erythropoietic response to the altitude training which was not sufficient to increase the postaltitude maximal oxygen uptake.     

Measurement of some haematological characteristics of the wild carp

The aim of the present study was to obtain a basic knowledge of the haematology and the influence of sex on some blood parameters of wild carp (Cyprinus carpio) spawners. Haematological indices [red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells, haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and leucocyte differential count] were measured in one blood sample from 24 females (weight, 1.3 ± 0.1 kg; length, 47.4 ± 1.06 cm) and 27 males (weight, 1.265 ± 0.105 kg; length, 46.9 ± 0.8 cm). The highest haematocrit (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), RBC, MCH and MCHC were found for males. The highest leucocyte differential were also found for females. Statistical analysis revealed that differences in haematological parameters between males and females fish were not significant.     

Effect of a high-altitude expedition to a Himalayan peak (Pumori, 7,161 m) on plasma and erythrocyte antioxidant profile

The effects of a high-altitude exposure were studied in six mountaineers who spent 3 weeks at an altitude range between 5,250 and 7,161 m after 1 week in an acclimatization trek (2,800–5,250 m). Blood drawn from the antecubital vein was collected at sea level 1 day before and 1 day after the expedition to analyse some haematological variables [haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Htc) and red blood cell (RBC) count], erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activity [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (Gr)] and membrane fatty acid profile [mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), saturated fatty acids (SFA), trans fatty acids (TRANS)]. Moreover, total antioxidant status (TAS), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), thiol protein groups (SH), SOD, GPx and Gr were measured in plasma. High-altitude exposure induced polycythaemia, with significant increases in RBC count (5.26%), Hb concentration (4.83%) and Htc (6.26%). Furthermore, a significant increase in plasma TBARS, SOD and Gr was observed after the expedition, whereas SH, TAS and GPx decreased. Erythrocyte glutathione-cycle-related antioxidant enzyme activity was upregulated, whereas SOD activity was maintained after the expedition. In addition, despite the unchanged (MUFA+PUFA)/SFA ratio, the membrane erythrocyte fatty acid content showed a significant increase in PUFAs and a decrease in TRANS, suggesting enhanced membrane fluidity. In conclusion, it seems that high-altitude exposure, besides quantitative variations in RBC expression, induced plasma oxidative stress and damage, and significant changes in erythrocyte components, namely in antioxidant enzyme activity and membrane fatty acid profile that might modify RBC functionality.