A Novel Physiology-Based Mathematical Model to Estimate Red Blood Cell Lifespan in Different Human Age Groups

Guohua An; John A Widness; Donald M Mock; Peter Veng-Pedersen

doi:10.1208/s12248-016-9923-0

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A Novel Physiology-Based Mathematical Model to Estimate Red Blood Cell Lifespan in Different Human Age Groups

Journal article

Peer reviewed

A Novel Physiology-Based Mathematical Model to Estimate Red Blood Cell Lifespan in Different Human Age Groups

Guohua An, John A Widness, Donald M Mock and Peter Veng-Pedersen

The AAPS journal, Vol.18(5), pp.1182-1191

09/2016

DOI: 10.1208/s12248-016-9923-0

PMCID: PMC5576059

PMID: 27215601

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http://doi.org/10.1208/s12248-016-9923-0View

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Abstract

Direct measurement of red blood cell (RBC) survival in humans has improved from the original accurate but limited differential agglutination technique to the current reliable, safe, and accurate biotin method. Despite this, all of these methods are time consuming and require blood sampling over several months to determine the RBC lifespan. For situations in which RBC survival information must be obtained quickly, these methods are not suitable. With the exception of adults and infants, RBC survival has not been extensively investigated in other age groups. To address this need, we developed a novel, physiology-based mathematical model that quickly estimates RBC lifespan in healthy individuals at any age. The model is based on the assumption that the total number of RBC recirculations during the lifespan of each RBC (denoted by N max) is relatively constant for all age groups. The model was initially validated using the data from our prior infant and adult biotin-labeled red blood cell studies and then extended to the other age groups. The model generated the following estimated RBC lifespans in 2-year-old, 5-year-old, 8-year-old, and 10-year-old children: 62, 74, 82, and 86 days, respectively. We speculate that this model has useful clinical applications. For example, HbA1c testing is not reliable in identifying children with diabetes because HbA1c is directly affected by RBC lifespan. Because our model can estimate RBC lifespan in children at any age, corrections to HbA1c values based on the model-generated RBC lifespan could improve diabetes diagnosis as well as therapy in children.

Models, Theoretical

Age Factors

Humans

Middle Aged

Cellular Senescence - physiology

Child, Preschool

Infant

Male

Young Adult

Models, Biological

Adolescent

Adult

Female

Erythrocytes - physiology

Child

Cell Survival - physiology

Infant, Newborn

Details

Title: Subtitle: A Novel Physiology-Based Mathematical Model to Estimate Red Blood Cell Lifespan in Different Human Age Groups
Creators: Guohua An - Division of Pharmaceutics and Translational Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA. guohua-an@uiowa.edu
John A Widness - Department of Pediatrics, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Donald M Mock - Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
Peter Veng-Pedersen - Division of Pharmaceutics and Translational Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The AAPS journal, Vol.18(5), pp.1182-1191
DOI: 10.1208/s12248-016-9923-0
PMID: 27215601
PMCID: PMC5576059
NLM abbreviation: AAPS J
ISSN: 1550-7416
eISSN: 1550-7416
Publisher: United States
Grant note: UL1 TR000039 / NCATS NIH HHS P01 HL046925 / NHLBI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 09/2016
Academic Unit: Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics
Record Identifier: 9984065316102771

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