Blood donation, body iron status and carotid intima-media thickness

Author(s): Engberink, M.F.; Geleijnse, J.M.; Durga, J.; Swinkels,
D.W.; Kort, W.L.A.M. de; Schouten, E.G.; Verhoef, P.
Source: Atherosclerosis 196 (2008)2. - ISSN 0021-9150 - p. 856 - 862.
Department(s): Afdeling Humane voeding (Division of Human Nutrition)
Research programme(s): Graduate School VLAG (2004 - 2010 )
Subtheme: ␖D. Nutrition, metabolism and health
Type of publication: Article in refereed journal
Year of publication: 2008
Abstract:
Iron could promote free radical formation, which may lead to injury of
the arterial wall and atherosclerosis.
Blood donation may reduce cardiovascular risk by lowering body iron
status.
We collected data on blood donation history and intima-media thickness
of the common carotid artery (CIMT) in 819 subjects (50-70 years), who
were recruited from municipal and blood bank registries in The
Netherlands.
Serum iron parameters were assessed, including non-transferrin bound
iron (NTBI) that has recently been found in conditions of iron
overload.
Serum ferritin was lower in current donors (n=443; 44mug/L) than in ex-
donors (n=120; 114mug/L) and never-donors (n=256; 124mug/L, P for
trend <0.001).
For NTBI, values were 2.33, 2.54, and 2.51mumol/L, respectively
(P<0.05). CIMT was slightly reduced in frequent donors (i.e., >/=49
times during life or >/=2 times per year), although not statistically
significant.
CIMT was not significantly related to NTBI.
Frequent blood donation, resulting in lowered body iron, might give
some protection against accelerated atherosclerosis.

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