Hemolytic anemia is anemia due to hemolysis, the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells (RBCs) either in the blood vessels (intravascular hemolysis) or elsewhere in the body (extravascular). It has numerous possible causes, ranging from relatively harmless to life-threatening. The general classification of hemolytic anemia is either acquired or inherited. Treatment depends on the cause and nature of the breakdown. In a healthy person, a red blood cell survives 90 to 120 days in the circulation, so about 1% of human red blood cells break down each day. The spleen (part of the reticulo-endothelial system) is the main organ which removes old and damaged RBCs from the circulation. In healthy individuals, the breakdown and removal of RBCs from the circulation is matched by the production of new RBCs in the bone marrow. In conditions where the rate of RBC breakdown is increased, the body initially compensates by producing more RBCs; however, breakdown of RBCs can exceed the rate that the body can make RBCs, and so anemia can develop. Bilirubin, a breakdown product of hemoglobin, can accumulate in the blood causing jaundice, and be excreted in the urine causing the urine to become a dark brown colour. [edit] Symptoms Signs of anemia (fatigue and, later, heart failure) are generally present as are those due to the release of free hemoglobin fragments. Jaundice may be present. Certain aspects of the medical history can suggest a cause for hemolysis, such as drugs, fava bean or other sensitivity, prosthetic heart valve, or another medical illness. [edit] Normal RBC Lifecycle Hemolytic anemia generally occurs as a modification of the RBC lifecycle. That is, instead of being collected at the end of its useful life and disposed of normally, the RBC disintegrates in a manner allowing free iron containing molecules to reach enter the blood. It is perhaps then helpful to understand the physiology of the RBC and things that can go wrong to cause it to "die" prematurely. With their complete lack of mitochondria, RBC's rely on glycolysis for the materials needed to reduce oxidative damage. Any limitations of glycolysis can result in more susceptibility to oxidative damage and a short or abnormal lifecycle. If the cell is unable to signal to the reticuloendothelial phagocytes by externalizing phosphatidylserine, it is likely to lyse through uncontrolled means.[1][2][3] Dogs and cats differ slightly from humans in some details of their RBC composition and have altered susceptibility to damage, notably increased susceptbility to oxidative damage from onion or garlic.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] [edit] Fate and Disposition of free Hemoglobin The distinguishing feature of intravascular hemolysis is the release of RBC contents into the blood stream. The metabolism and elimination of these products, largely iron containing compounds capable of doing damage through Fenton reactions, is an important part of the condition. Several reference texts exist on the elimination pathways, for example.[14][15] Free hemoglobin can bind to haptoglobin or it may oxidize and release the heme group which is able to bind to either albumin or hemopexin. The heme is ultimately converted to bilirubin and removed in stool and urine.[14] Hemoglobin may be cleared directly by the kidneys resulting in fast clearance of free hemoglobin but causing the continued loss of hemosiderin loaded renal tubular cells for many days. Additional effects of free hemoglobin seem to be due to specific reactions with NO.[16] Clinical findings in hemolytic anaemias: - increased serum bilirubin levels in blood, therefore jaundice
- pallor in mucous membrane and skin
- increased urobilinogen in urine
- Splenomegaly
- Pigmented gallstones may be found.
[edit] Classification of hemolytic anemias Causes of hemolytic anemia can be either genetic or acquired. They may be classified according to the means of hemolysis, being either intrinsic in cases where the cause is related to the RBC itslef or extrinsic in cases where factors external to the RBC dominate.[17] Intrinsic effects may include problems with RBC proteins or oxidative stress handling while external factors include immune attack and microvascular angiopathies ( RBC's are mechnically damaged in circulation). [edit] Genetic -
Genetic causes can involve the RBC membrane, metabolism, or hemoglobin conditions. [edit] Acquired -
Acquired hemolytic anemia can be divided into immune and non-immune mediated. [edit] Differential diagnosis [edit] Therapy Definitive therapy depends on the cause: - Symptomatic treatment can be given by blood transfusion, if there is marked anemia.
- In severe immune-related hemolytic anemia, steroid therapy is sometimes necessary.
- Sometimes splenectomy can be helpful where extravascular hemolysis is predominant (ie most of the red blood cells are being removed by the spleen).
[edit] See also [edit] References - ^ Kolb S, Vranckx R, Huisse MG, Michel JB, Meilhac O (July 2007). "The phosphatidylserine receptor mediates phagocytosis by vascular smooth muscle cells". The Journal of Pathology 212 (3): 249–59. doi:10.1002/path.2190. PMID 17534843.
- ^ Bosman GJ, Willekens FL, Werre JM (2005). "Erythrocyte aging: a more than superficial resemblance to apoptosis?". Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry 16 (1-3): 1–8. doi:10.1159/000087725. PMID 16121027.
- ^ Bratosin D, Mazurier J, Tissier JP, et al. (February 1998). "Cellular and molecular mechanisms of senescent erythrocyte phagocytosis by macrophages. A review". Biochimie 80 (2): 173–95. doi:10.1016/S0300-9084(98)80024-2. PMID 9587675. >
- ^ Chang HS, Yamato O, Sakai Y, Yamasaki M, Maede Y (January 2004). "Acceleration of superoxide generation in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and inhibition of platelet aggregation by alk(en)yl thiosulfates derived from onion and garlic in dogs and humans". Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids 70 (1): 77–83. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2003.08.006. PMID 14643182.
- ^ Yamato O, Hayashi M, Kasai E, Tajima M, Yamasaki M, Maede Y (April 1999). "Reduced glutathione accelerates the oxidative damage produced by sodium n-propylthiosulfate, one of the causative agents of onion-induced hemolytic anemia in dogs". Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta 1427 (2): 175–82. doi:10.1016/S0304-4165(99)00023-9. PMID 10216234.
- ^ Yamato O, Hayashi M, Yamasaki M, Maede Y (February 1998). "Induction of onion-induced haemolytic anaemia in dogs with sodium n-propylthiosulphate". The Veterinary Record 142 (9): 216–9. PMID 9533293.
- ^ Yamoto O, Maede Y (January 1992). "Susceptibility to onion-induced hemolysis in dogs with hereditary high erythrocyte reduced glutathione and potassium concentrations". American Journal of Veterinary Research 53 (1): 134–7. PMID 1539905.
- ^ Murase T, Maede Y (April 1990). "Increased erythrophagocytic activity of macrophages in dogs with Babesia gibsoni infection". Nippon Juigaku Zasshi 52 (2): 321–7. PMID 2348598.
- ^ Ogawa E, Shinoki T, Akahori F, Masaoka T (August 1986). "Effect of onion ingestion on anti-oxidizing agents in dog erythrocytes". Nippon Juigaku Zasshi 48 (4): 685–91. PMID 3761777.
- ^ Harvey JW, Rackear D (July 1985). "Experimental onion-induced hemolytic anemia in dogs". Veterinary Pathology 22 (4): 387–92. PMID 4035943.
- ^ van Schouwenburg S (September 1982). "[Hemolytic anemia in a miniature dashshund caused by eating large amounts of onion (Allium cepa)]" (in Afrikaans). Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 53 (3): 212. PMID 7175912.
- ^ Stallbaumer M (June 1981). "Onion poisoning in a dog". The Veterinary Record 108 (24): 523–4. PMID 7257143.
- ^ Spice RN (July 1976). "Hemolytic anemia associated with ingestion of onions in a dog". The Canadian Veterinary Journal. La Revue Vétérinaire Canadienne 17 (7): 181–3. PMID 949673.
- ^ a b Hematology in clinical practice: a guide to diagnosis and management By Robert S. Hillman, Kenneth A. Ault, Henry M. Rinder page 136-139 http://books.google.com/books?id=NJs1VpA8SEoC&pg=PA138&dq=hemoglobin+hemosiderin+hemolysis+bilirubin&ei=Z2P_SuzwA6D2ygT9vOz3Dg#v=onepage&q=hemoglobin%20hemosiderin%20hemolysis%20bilirubin&f=false
- ^ Wintrobe's Clinical Hematology, Volume 1 By John P. Greer http://books.google.com/books?id=68enzUD7BVgC&pg=PA161&dq=hemoglobin+hemosiderin+hemolysis+bilirubin&ei=Z2P_SuzwA6D2ygT9vOz3Dg#v=onepage&q=hemoglobin%20hemosiderin%20hemolysis%20bilirubin&f=false page 160
- ^ Boretti FS, Buehler PW, D'Agnillo F, et al. (August 2009). "Sequestration of extracellular hemoglobin within a haptoglobin complex decreases its hypertensive and oxidative effects in dogs and guinea pigs". The Journal of Clinical Investigation 119 (8): 2271–80. doi:10.1172/JCI39115. PMID 19620788.
- ^ Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2009 By Stephen J. McPhee, Maxine A. Papadakis page 436 http://books.google.com/books?id=zQlH4mXSziYC&pg=PT454&dq=hemoglobin+hemosiderin+hemolysis+bilirubin&ei=Z2P_SuzwA6D2ygT9vOz3Dg#v=onepage&q=hemoglobin%20hemosiderin%20hemolysis%20bilirubin&f=false
[edit] Further reading [edit] Signalling in Normal RBC Collection Failure to signal for normal removal is discussed in these papers: - Bosman GJ, Lasonder E, Groenen-Döpp YA, Willekens FL, Werre JM, Novotný VM (August 2009). "Comparative proteomics of erythrocyte aging in vivo and in vitro". Journal of Proteomics. doi:10.1016/j.jprot.2009.07.010. PMID 19660581.
- Kanno H (March 2008). "[Critical role of phosphatidylserine in hemolysis due to red blood cell enzyme/membrane defects]" (in Japanese). Nippon Rinsho 66 (3): 461–8. PMID 18330023.
- Bratosin D, Mazurier J, Tissier JP, et al. (October 1997). "Molecular mechanisms of erythrophagocytosis. Characterization of the senescent erythrocytes that are phagocytized by macrophages". Comptes rendus de l'Académie des sciences. Série III, Sciences de la vie 320 (10): 811–8. PMID 9436535.
[edit] Related Genetic Conditions Some RBC related genes that effect hemolysis susceptibility: [edit] In Cats and Dogs Some pets tend to be more susceptible to this than humans. The comparative situations helps illustrate some causes and effects of general interest to hemolysis. - In cats
- Hill AS, O'Neill S, Rogers QR, Christopher MM (March 2001). "Antioxidant prevention of Heinz body formation and oxidative injury in cats". American Journal of Veterinary Research 62 (3): 370–4. doi:10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.370. PMID 11277202.
- Robertson JE, Christopher MM, Rogers QR (April 1998). "Heinz body formation in cats fed baby food containing onion powder". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 212 (8): 1260–6. PMID 9569166.
- And in dog
- Tang X, Xia Z, Yu J (April 2008). "An experimental study of hemolysis induced by onion (Allium cepa) poisoning in dogs". Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 31 (2): 143–9. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2885.2007.00930.x. PMID 18307506.
- Chang HS, Yamato O, Yamasaki M, Ko M, Maede Y (June 2005). "Growth inhibitory effect of alk(en)yl thiosulfates derived from onion and garlic in human immortalized and tumor cell lines". Cancer Letters 223 (1): 47–55. doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2004.10.008. PMID 15890236.
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