United States: Donating blood repeatedly provides a dual benefit since it saves the lives of others and enables your blood to adapt genetically, as per the expert report.
What have experts observed?
A health expert team examined blood samples between 217 male donors who provided over 100 donations through their lifetimes versus 212 male donors who gave blood fewer than ten times to check for differences in blood health status.
Blood passed through regular donation appointments carried improved genetic mutations of the DNMT3A gene by the donors.
The blood cancer-associated DNA modifications in DNMT3A have already been documented in previous studies.
According to stem cell biologist Dominique Bonnet, from The Francis Crick Institute in the UK, “Our work is a fascinating example of how our genes interact with the environment and as we age,” sciencealert.com
“Our work is a fascinating example of how our genes interact with the environment and as we age,” stated stem cell biologist Dominique Bonnet from The Francis Crick Institute in the UK.
Key points that experts noted
The research group maintained their focus on blood stem cells because these cells generate additional blood cells in demand situations.
The functioning of blood cancer disease prevention mechanisms deteriorates during the aging years, thus creating conditions for leukemia occurrences.
When blood escapes from the body, it leads to the production of erythropoietin hormones.
The scientists conducted blood stem cell tests with erythropoietin treatment and discovered cells having the mutant DNMT3A gene created blood faster than cells with intact DNMT3A.
According to this finding, frequent blood losses stimulate higher production levels of mutated blood cells. Mice research demonstrates that the mutation of DNMT3A leads to healthier blood function after experiencing blood loss stress.
“Activities that put low levels of stress on blood cell production allow our blood stem cells to renew, and we think this favors mutations that further promote stem cell growth rather than disease,” Bonnet noted.
Moreover, sustaining blood donation could help stem cells acquire the capability to regenerate blood properly.
The experimental tests conducted on mice demonstrated improved regenerative abilities, and there was no evidence of dangerous genetic mutations.
Various restrictions need attention when discussing these findings. It becomes challenging to determine extra health benefits of blood donation since donors typically start with better health in the first place.
According to Bonnet, “Our sample size is quite modest, so we can’t say that blood donation definitely decreases the incidence of pre-leukemic mutations,” sciencealert.com reported.
“We will need to look at these results in much larger numbers of people,” he added.
Regardless of any health advantages that may be identified – former studies indicate alternative benefits – an immediate need exists for blood donors.