"Our life is not always smooth sailing; same goes to the life of blood. Red blood cells or also known as erythrocytes are the majority occupant in our body. The formation of red blood cells in our body are called erythropoiesis process. This life process is very important as red blood cells are an essential component of oxygen transportation from the lungs to all tissues in our body. In adult human, erythropoiesis occurs in the red bone marrow. However, there are several factors that may affect the rate of erythropoiesis. As the saying goes, challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. To make it easier for you guys to digest the information, we will grouped the factors into three major component."
1. TISSUES OXYGENATION
Tissue hypoxia or decreasing of oxygen received by the tissue can increase the rate of erythropoiesis. Any condition that may lead to tissue hypoxia such as anemia, cardiac failure and respiratory problems may increase the production of erythrocytes. Low level of oxygen will be detected by the kidneys which in turn will secrete erythropoietin, the hormone responsible for erythropoiesis. The logic behind this phenomenon is the higher the number of red blood cells, the higher the amount of oxygen that can be carried by the blood, thus reducing tissue hypoxia and the level of oxygen will return to its normal level.
2.DIETARY FACTORS
Ø PROTEIN
Consumption of protein in an adequate amount is needed as it is essential in globin formation, which will bind with haem to produce haemoglobin, the component of red blood cells that carry oxygen.
VARIOUS SOURCE OF PROTEIN
Ø MINERALS
There are more than one minerals that play important role in erythropoiesis such as iron, copper and cobalt. As for example, iron is needed in the formation of haem that will bind with globin to form haemoglobin. Then, the oxidation of iron is catalyses by copper, before it combines with transferrin that will transport the iron. Next, cobalt stimulate the release of erythropoietin secretes by the kidney to the blood stream which will travel to bone marrow to stimulate erythropoiesis.
Ø VITAMINS
Vitamins such as vitamin B12 and folic acid are the components involved in the final maturation of erythrocyte as they are needed for DNA synthesis. Lack of these vitamins may cause the maturation of red blood cells to fail, resulting in anemia. Vitamin C is also a strong reducing agent and help in reducing the iron from ferric to ferrous form, which is easier to be absorbed and transported.
EXAMPLE OF VITAMIN C SUPPLEMENT
3. HORMONE
Hormones also play some roles in erythropoieis such as androgen, thyroid hormone and glucocorticoids. Androgens such as testosterone can help increasing the rate of erythropoiesis by stimulating the kidney to produce more erythropoietin. The thyroid hormone and glucocorticoids stimulate the metabolic reaction of the bone marrow, the site of erythropoiesis which stimulates more production of red blood cells. Another hormone that can affects erythropoiesis is haematopoietic growth factor, secreted by lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages. It helps in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of progenitor stem cells to produce more blood cells.
Do you guys get it? Simple isn’t it? Oh! For your information, erythropoietin, the hormone mentioned above also responsible in making your face glowing! So, if you have dull and dry skin, try exercising to increase the production of erythropoietin. You have to work hard to stay pretty like us, you know!
So, that’s all from us for this week. If you have any uncertainties, feel free to voice it out to us!
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