Blood iron stores reduction affects lipoprotein status--a potential benefit of blood donation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the lipoprotein profile of voluntary blood donors, and on the basis of parameters to evaluate the risk of atherosclerosis.


METHODS
The study included voluntary blood donors of both sexes. Participants were divided into two groups. The first group of subjects consisted of men and women in menopause (BD 1). The second group consisted of women in reproductive age (BD 2). Analysis of concentration of lipoproteins was performed by direct determination of total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C. From the total serum cholesterol and concentration of lipoproteins ratios of total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio and LDL-C/HDL-C were calculated.


RESULTS
Significantly higher concentration of LDL-C was obtained in the serum of BD 1, compared to LDL-C in the serum of BD 2, within the reference range. Mean concentration of HDL-C in the serum of BD 2 group was higher than the values measured in the BD group 1, without significant difference. The ratio of total cholesterol/HDL-C showed significantly higher values in the BD 1 group compared with results in the BD 2 group. Significantly higher values in the BD group 1 were observed for the ratio of LDL-C/HDL-C. Obtained results showed that all voluntary blood donors had a concentration of individual lipoprotein fractions in a lower risk range for atherosclerosis development.


CONCLUSIONS
Female voluntary blood donors in reproductive age have a more favorable lipid status in relation to the voluntary blood donors, men and women in menopause, indicating that this population of women is exposed to lower risk of developing atherosclerosis.
Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. radivoj.jadric@mf.unsa.ba
Radivoj
R
Jadrić
Sabaheta
S
Hasić
Emina
E
Kiseljaković
Jozo
J
Corić
Besim
B
Prnjavorac
Mira
M
Winterhalter-Jadrić
D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008074:Lipoproteins; D002784:Cholesterol; D007501:Iron