The haematological system and skin - Physiology Flashcards
Name the key players in iron metabolism
- DMT-1
- Ferritin
- Transferrin
- Transferrin receptor
- Haemosiderin
- Ferroportin
- Hepcidin
- HFE
Describe the absorption of iron
Enzyme on brush border (ferric reductase) converts (Ferric iron) Fe3+ to Fe2+ (Ferrous iron)
DMT1 uptakes Fe2+ into enterocytes
The iron within enterocytes can either be stored as ferritin, or transferred into the bloodstream via the protein ferroportin.
Once in the blood, iron is bound to the transport protein transferrin, and is mostly transported to bone marrow for erythropoiesis.
Some iron is taken up by macrophages in the reticuloendothelial system as a storage pool.
Fe2+ transfers enterocytes and
What increases the absorption of iron? (name 6)
- Fe2+
- Haem iron
- Acids
- Ascorbate
- Solubilising agens - sugars, amino acids
- Pregnancy
- Increased erythropoiesis
- Haemochromatosis
- Increased DM1
What decreases the absorption of iron? (name 6)
- Fe3+
- Non-organic iron
- Alkalis
- Phytates and phosphates
- Tea
- Tetracyclines
- High iron diet
- Infections
- High body iron store
Describe the absorption of folate metabolism
Native folates present as polyglutamate
Converted to mono glutamate by folate conjugate in burst border membrane
This is absorbed in duodenum (HCPI) and methylated to methyl-THF
Where does erythropoiesis occur?
Bone marrow
Name 5 requirements of erythropoiesis
- Normal stem cell
- Normal maturation
- Healthy bone marrow microenvironment
- Growth factors (erythropoietin, GM-CSF)
- Essential components: iron, vitaminB12, folate, amino acids
Name the 4 types of RBC cell in the maturation of a RBC
- Erythroblasts
- Nucleated rBC
- Reticulocyte
- Mature red cells
What makes red blood cells pliable?
Biconcave shape due to RBC membrane allows it to squeeze through capillaries
Describe the RBC membrane that makes it RBC pliable
RBC have protein skeleton (spectrin, band-3 protein, actin, protein 4.1 and ankyrin) which maintain the RBC biconcave shape and deformability
The proteins contains several sulfhydyl (-SH) groups which are essential for the maintenance of their tertiary structure and therefore the structural integrity of the red cell
How many polypeptide chains is haemoglobin composed of?
Four
Name the three types of haemoglobin that occur in normal adult blood
Haemoglobin A
Haemoglobin A2
Haemoglobin F
Describe the haemoglobin chain pairing for the following
a) HbA in adult
b) HBA in foetal
c) HbA2
a) pairing 2 alpha chains and 2 beta chains
b) Pairing 2 alpha chains and 2 gamma chains
c) pairing 2 alpha chains and 2 delta chains
Describe the haemoglobin chain pairing for the following
a) HbA in adult
b) HBA in foetal
c) HbA2
a) pairing 2 alpha chains and 2 beta chains
b) Pairing 2 alpha chains and 2 gamma chains
c) pairing 2 alpha chains and 2 delta chains
Why is there different haemoglobin in foetus and adult?
Foetal haemoglobin has a higher affinity so oxygen flows from the maternal to foetus circulation more regularly across the placenta
What is the life span of RBCs?
120 days
Group A blood type: antigens on red cell surface and antibodies in plasma
Antigens on red cell: A
Antibodies in plasma: Anti-B
Group B blood type: antigens on red cell surface and antibodies in plasma
Antigens on red cell: B
Antibodies in plasma: Anti-A
Group AB blood type: antigens on red cell surface and antibodies in plasma
Antigens on red cell: A+B
Antibodies in plasma: none
Group O blood type: antigens on red cell surface and antibodies in plasma
Antigens on red cell: (Small H)
Antibodies in plasma: Anti-A + Anti-B
Who can donate blood?
Are fit and healthy
Weight between 50-158kg
Are aged between 17 and 66
Are over 70 and have given full blood donation in the last 2 years
Alternatives to blood transfusion
Erythropoietin (EPO)
(Anabolic) steroids
Vitamin B12
Iron
Folate
Monitoring
Red cell transfusion - indications
Severe haemorrhage
Severe anaemia refractory to other therapy or needing rapid correction