Abstract
Our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of red blood cell aging is mostly derived from in vitro studies. The Four Days Marches of Nijmegen in the Netherlands, the world’s largest yearly walking event, constitutes a unique possibility to study the effect of mechanical and biochemical stressors occurring during moderate-intensity exercise on red blood cell aging in vivo. Therefore, longitudinal measurements were performed of biophysical, immunological, and functional red blood cell characteristics that are known to change during aging. Our data show that moderate-intensity exercise induces the generation of a functionally improved red blood cell population with a higher deformability and a decreased tendency to aggregate. This is likely to be associated with an early removal of the oldest red blood cells from the circulation, as deduced from the (dis)appearance of removal signals. Thus, the physiological red blood cell aging process maintains homeostasis in times of moderate-intensity exercise-induced stress, probably by accelerated aging and subsequent removal of the oldest, most vulnerable red blood cells.
Highlights
Red blood cell (RBC) homeostasis is maintained through removal of aged, functionally compromised red blood cells (RBCs) by macrophages, in combination with erythropoietin-regulated production of young RBCs in the bone marrow
Experimental support for the latter hypothesis is mostly provided by the response of RBCs from healthy donors aged in vivo and RBCs from blood bank concentrates aged in vitro to various stress factors in vitro [1,3]
Recent findings indicate that RBC homeostasis is affected by systemic conditions, such as inflammation, and that altered RBC function and survival affect organismal homeostasis [4,5,6,7]
Summary
Red blood cell (RBC) homeostasis is maintained through removal of aged, functionally compromised RBCs by macrophages, in combination with erythropoietin-regulated production of young RBCs in the bone marrow. The mechanisms underlying functional as well as immunological RBC aging in vivo are likely to be triggered by oxidation, which induces an increase in susceptibility to physiological stress [1,2] Experimental support for the latter hypothesis is mostly provided by the response of RBCs from healthy donors aged in vivo and RBCs from blood bank concentrates aged in vitro to various stress factors in vitro [1,3]. Exercise has been reported to induce hemolysis [8,9] This has been postulated to be associated with a shift towards a decrease in mean cell age of the RBC population and a concomitant improvement in function [10]. The Four Days Marches of Nijmegen in the Netherlands, the world’s largest yearly
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
