title: Beneficial effects of blood donation on high density lipoprotein concentration and the oxidative potential of low density lipoprotein.
abstract: According to some authors blood donors have a lower risk of cardiovascular incidents. This may be associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease reported by some authors, as well as with the oxidative changes caused by iron. The aim of this study was to determine, what happens to some of the factors contributing to atherosclerosis after the lowering of body iron. Blood was drawn from 23 healthy males after overnight fasting and the parameters described below determined. These persons donated blood (500 ml) on three occasions with 6 weeks intervals. Six to eight weeks after the third and final donation, blood was again drawn after overnight fasting and the following parameters measured for the second time: various parameters of body iron; lipid profile; anti-oxidants; and oxidative parameters of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Blood donation has various beneficial effects, such as increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL) and apoA; a higher oxidative potential of LDL; a lower level of LDL peroxidation resulting in a LDL particle with a higher oxidative potential, and a higher NO(3) concentration. We conclude that blood donation, and thereby a lowered body iron concentration, is an effective way to increase the oxidative potential of LDL, as well as the HDL and apoA concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology (G3), Universitas Hospital/University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa. gncphvj@med.uovs.ac.za
authors.forename: Henretha
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Jaarsveld
authors.forename: Gertruida F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Pool
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001782:Blood Donors; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D007501:Iron