Effect of Residual Splenic Function and Folate Levels on the Frequency ofMicronucleated Red Blood Cells in Splenectomized Humans

摘要

Frequencies of micronucleated erythrocytes in the peripheral blood ofsplenectomized individuals can be used as an index of genetic damage to erythrocyte precursor cells in the bone marrow. This is in contrast to non-splenectomized humans, whose micronucleated erythrocytes are removed by the spleen. Many subjects whose spleen has been removed surgically have residual spleen tissue and consequent residual spleen function (RSF), which can be measured by the percentage of 'pitted' peripheral red blood cells. In the study, evidence of RSF was associated with decreased rates of micronucleated erythrocytes. Analysis of data limited to subjects with minimal spleen function suggested an inverse association between the incidence of micronucleated erythrocytes and serum folate levels that was not apparent in the absence of stringent control for RSF. (Copyright (c) 1991 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.)