Journal of Blood Disorders & Transfusion

The Mechanisms of Hemolysis and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Different Pathological Conditions

Roopan Prabhakaran^* Department of Biological Chemistry, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) University, Vellore, India
^*Correspondence: Roopan Prabhakaran, Department of Biological Chemistry, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) University, Vellore, India, Email:

Received: 21-Apr-2023, Manuscript No. JBDT-23-21365; Editor assigned: 24-Apr-2023, Pre QC No. JBDT-23-21365 (PQ); Reviewed: 15-May-2023, QC No. JBDT-23-21365; Revised: 22-May-2023, Manuscript No. JBDT-23-21365 (R); Published: 29-May-2023, DOI: 10.4172/2155-9864.23.14.563

Description

Hemolysis is the rupture of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and the release of their contents (cytoplasm) into the surrounding fluid, such as blood plasma. Hemolysis can occur inside the body (in vivo) or outside the body (in vitro). Hemolysis can cause anemia, jaundice, and kidney damage.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is a blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube in one hour. ESR is a non-specific indicator of inflammation in the body. Inflammation can cause red blood cells to clump together, making them heavier and faster to sink. A high ESR indicates a high level of inflammation, while a low ESR indicates a low level of inflammation.

Pathological conditions of hemolysis and ESR

Hemolysis and ESR can be affected by different pathological conditions, such as infections, autoimmune diseases, cancers, and blood disorders. Some examples are:

Infections: Bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal infections can cause hemolysis by producing toxins that damage the red blood cell membrane, by activating the immune system to attack the red blood cells, or by invading and multiplying inside the red blood cells. Examples of infections that cause hemolysis are malaria, sepsis, and clostridium perfringens. Infections can also increase ESR by stimulating the production of inflammatory proteins that make red blood cells stick together. Examples of infections that increase ESR are tuberculosis, endocarditis, and rheumatic fever.

Autoimmune diseases: Autoimmune diseases are conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. Some autoimmune diseases can cause hemolysis by producing antibodies that bind to the red blood cell surface and mark them for destruction by macrophages or complement system. Examples of autoimmune diseases that cause hemolysis are autoimmune hemolytic anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmune diseases can also increase ESR by causing chronic inflammation and tissue damage that release inflammatory proteins into the blood. Examples of autoimmune diseases that increase ESR are Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and vasculitis.

Cancers: Cancers are abnormal growths of cells that can invade and destroy normal tissues. Some cancers can cause hemolysis by compressing or infiltrating the bone marrow, spleen, or liver, which are involved in the production and clearance of red blood cells. Examples of cancers that cause hemolysis are leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Cancers can also increase ESR by producing Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a cytokine that stimulates inflammation and increases red blood cell aggregation. Examples of cancers that increase ESR are Hodgkin’s disease, renal cell carcinoma, and ovarian cancer.

Blood disorders: Blood disorders are conditions that affect the normal structure or function of blood cells or proteins. Some blood disorders can cause hemolysis by impairing the stability or integrity of the red blood cell membrane or hemoglobin molecule. Examples of blood disorders that cause hemolysis are sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, G6PD deficiency, and hereditary spherocytosis. Blood disorders can also affect ESR by altering the shape or size of red blood cells or by changing the concentration or viscosity of plasma proteins. Examples of blood disorders that affect ESR are polycythemia vera, iron deficiency anemia, and hypofibrinogenemia.

In summary, hemolysis and ESR are two important parameters that reflect the state of red blood cells and inflammation in the body. They can be influenced by various pathological conditions that affect the production, destruction, or aggregation of red blood cells or the secretion of inflammatory proteins.