Studies of red cell life span in the rat

Metabolism and Disposition of C14-Bilirubin in Congenital Nonhemolytic Jaundice*

“…In the patient, daily bilirubin turnover amounted to 60.1 mg, closely approximating the anticipated value of 58.1 mg, calculated from the total red-cell volume, a mean erythrocyte life span of 120 days (36), and an estimated 12% increment for bile pigment formation from sources other than circulating hemoglobin (37). Similarly, in the three Gunn rats without external bile drainage, the magnitude of bilirubin turnover agreed in general with the values calculated from a mean erythrocyte life span of 60 days (38), allowing for additional pigment formation from random destruction of a minor red-cell fraction (39) and from nonhemoglobin sources (37). These findings indicate that in man and rats with this type of hyperbilirubinemia, bile pigment formation from endogenous sources is quantitatively comparable to that occurring under physiologic conditions.…”

Haematological toxicity of carboplatin in rats

“…This conclusion is further strengthened by a lack of effect of the platinum complexes on red cell half-lives (t12= 14 days), which, as it appears, are similar to those 0112=10-21 days) reviewed by Belcher and Harriss (1959) for normal rats. Drug-induced increase in osmotic fragility or reduction in survival time of red cells, however, could arise in rats after day 3 and may involve production of antibodies against red cells, as has been reported in patients receiving cis-platin (Getaz et al, 1980;Nguyen et al, 1981).…”

Red cell aging in vivo

“…The red cell population of each of the remaining hypertransfused rats (E5), and the control rats sacrificed on day 45 (C3) were labeled with 51Cr and their survival determined in normal and splenectomized recipients (24,25). 1 ml of whole blood from each study animal was incubated with 50 uCi 51Cr in (ACD) acid citrate dextrose solution for 15 min at room temperature, washed three times with five volumes of rat plasma, and an equal portion injected into the recipients using the tail vein route.…”

“…Absence of significant contamination by newly produced cells was confirmed both by repeated measurements of reticulocyte production, and by the performance of 'Cr life-spans on the cell populations recovered after the 43rd day. Assuming a 60 day lifespan of rat erythrocytes (24,25), the mean red cell age was 30 days at the beginning of the experiment. At days 14, 28, 38, and 48, when specific investigations were carried out (Study A), the mean age had progressed to 37, 44, 49 and 54 days respectively.…”