Journal of Blood & Lymph

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been linked with autoimmune diseases. AGEs present in diet are known to be absorbed intestinally. We aimed to study effects of dietary AGEs present in repeatedly heated cooking oil on cell cycle profile of lymphocytes derived from healthy volunteers. AGEs were extracted by using Aqueous-TCAChloroform method and incubated with lymphocytes for 24 hours. All extracts showed ASF (15.42-75.18) between 355-440 nm wavelength. On incubation with AGEs, an increase in S-phase fraction of treated lymphocytes (7.67 ± 3.25) was observed in 10/10 samples analysed as compared to untreated lymphocytes (1.5 ± 1.6). The results suggest that dietary AGEs may have a role in triggering the proliferation of lymphocytes. Larger studies are required to explore role of dietary AGEs on properties of lymphocytes which may contribute to etiopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Such studies may provide us with a modifiable risk factor which may be altered to prevent autoimmune diseases.

Introduction: In an ever-rising need of blood and blood products, donor deferrals not only dent the existing donor pool but also reduces the possibility of further donation by the potential blood donor. This study aims to get an insight into the frequency and causes of deferrals in the region. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the blood bank of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi. All the potential donors were evaluated on the basis of clinical history, physical examination and Blood count estimation. Blood was collected from the donors that are deemed fit by above criteria and was screened for Malaria, hepatitis B, C, HIV and syphilis. Results: Out of the total 4225 potential donors 26 (0.61%) were females, 1988 (47%) were in the age range 15-30 years. Of the total potential donors 9.7% donors (410) were deferred. Amongst the deferred, 64% were deferred pre-donation during initial history taking and examination. Amongst the pre-donation deferrals the most common cause was anemia (52.4%) followed by leukocytosis (19.7%) and thrombocytopenia (4.8%) respectively. Post donation deferrals included those patients who showed seropositivity to either hepatitis B, C, HIV, malaria or syphilis. It comprised of 34% of the total deferrals. Hepatitis B was the most common cause of post donation deferral comprising about 49.6% followed by hepatitis C (46%). Only 05 HIV positive cases reported. Conclusion: The analysis of rate and causes of donor deferral may help not only in preventing the donor loss but also in initiating the recruitment efforts and establishing general awareness campaign regarding safety and benefits of donation process at a mass level to help mobilizing voluntary donors from both genders.

Aplastic anemia (AA) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) are two rare and often concomitant hematologic diseases. Their development is - despite lack of decisive evidence - attributed autoimmune mechanisms. AA is characterized by cytopenias combined with a hypocellular bone marrow. The pathophysiology is believed to be immune-mediated with destruction of hematopoietic stem cells by autoreactive lymphocytes, a hypothesis supported by its response to immunosuppressive therapy. A large proportion of patients with AA also have PNH. In PNH, somatic mutations in the PIGA gene in hematopoietic stem cells blocks synthesis of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. As a result, blood cells deriving from the GPI-deficient clone lack GPI-anchored proteins, most notably the complement inhibiting factors CD55 and CD59. The clinical manifestations primarily arise because of uncontrolled complement activation on erythrocytes and thrombocytes. This review summarizes current knowledge and theories about of the pathophysiology of both diseases with focus on immune mechanisms attributing to the two diseases.