Giving frequently blood is good not only for the others: it could in fact strengthen its hematopoietic system and reduce the risk of contracting some forms of blood cancer
A recent study conducted by the Francis Crick Institute in London revealed that the frequent donation of blood not only helps those who need it, but could also offer unexpected benefits to the donors themselves. In addition to stimulating cellular change, this process seems to favor the emergence of genetic mutations that may strengthen the hematopoietic system and reduce the risk of some forms of blood cancer.
Human blood is composed of billions of cells that they are continually renewed thanks to the hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). With aging, these cells can accumulate genetic mutations, some of which influence their behavior.
Among these, the phenomenon of eMatopoiesi clonal (CH) It happens when a single changed cell begins to multiply more than the others, becoming dominant. Although in many cases this condition is harmless, in some individuals it can increase the risk of develop blood diseases.
The effect of erythropoietin (EPO)
The researchers analyzed the champions of 429 men, divided between usual donors (with over 100 active donations) and occasional donors (less than 10 donations). The results showed that frequent donors had one greater incidence of mutations in the DNMT3A genes And Tet2but in benign form. These genetic alterations seem to make cells more resistant and reactive to blood production stimuli.
A key aspect that emerged from the research concerns theerythropoietin (EPO)the hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells after blood loss. The mutations in the DNMT3A gene seem to make cells more sensitive to the APO, allowing them to recover more quickly after each donation. This process could provide a competitive advantage to healthy cells Compared to those with potentially harmful mutations, reducing the risk of development of hematological tumors.
To verify this hypothesis, scientists recreated stem cells in the laboratory with the DNMT3A mutation and exposed them to the IPO. The results showed one faster growth than 50% Compared to cells without mutation, suggesting that the donation process can naturally select more robust stem cells. If confirmed by further studies, these results could open new paths in the research on the prevention of blood diseases.
