Serum antioxidants and inflammation predict red cell distribution width in older women: The Women's Health and Aging Study I

Abstract

Background & Aims Red cell distribution width (RDW), a measure of heterogeneity in the size of circulating erythrocytes, is associated with some chronic diseases and predicts mortality. Although oxidative damage and inflammation have been theorized to affect RDW, the relationships of antioxidants and inflammation with RDW have not been well characterized. The aims were to determine whether total serum carotenoids, α-tocopherol, selenium, protein carbonyls, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are associated with RDW and predict RDW over time. Methods RDW was measured at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months follow-up in 786 moderately to severely disabled community-dwelling women, aged ≥65 years, in the Women’s Health and Aging Study I in Baltimore, Maryland. Results Selenium was significantly associated with RDW at baseline and predicted RDW over two years’ follow-up in separate multivariate mixed effects models that adjusted for other covariates. As expected, the addition of IL-6 to the models attenuated the association of serum selenium with RDW, as low antioxidant levels are known to upregulate IL-6. Total carotenoids were associated with RDW at baseline and one year follow-up. Protein carbonyls and α-tocopherol were not significantly associated with RDW. Conclusion Serum selenium is an independent predictor of RDW and may potentially mediate effects on RDW through IL-6.

The impact of admission red cell distribution width on long-term cardiovascular events after primary percutaneous intervention: A four-year prospective study

“…Like in the case when a car which gets out of control may cause undesirable conditions, over increased inflammation and oxidative stress in our body leads to undesirable outcomes. As a result of changes, they exerted on erythrocytes; increased inflammation [2,3], oxidative stress [5] and neurohormonal activation [18] lead to different size of erythrocytes to involve in the circulation, namely anisocytosis. Possible contribution of inflammation to anisocytosis results from inhibition of the response production against erythropoietin, impaired iron metabolism, and shortened time of red blood cell survival [19].…”

“…RDW which is a measure of the variation in the size of circulating erythrocytes (anisocytosis) has been utilized in differential diagnosis of anemia [1]. In addition, increased levels of RDW are closely associated with inflammation [2][3][4], oxidative stress [5] and are related with poor prognoses in stable and unstable cardiac events [6][7][8][9].…”

Raised red cell distribution width as a prognostic marker in aortic valve replacement surgery

“…Further studies have reported a correlation between RDW and such inflammatory markers as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin-6, and tumour necrosis factor a [21,22]. Erythropoiesis in oxidative stress results in large immature erythrocytes present in the circulatory system (which increase RDW) [23,24]. However, owing to their poorer oxygen transportation ability, patients' physiology…”

The Relationship of Red-Cell Distribution Width and Carotid Intima Media in Chronic Kidney Disease

“…In line with our study, Lippi et al showed a graduated relationship between RDW and hsCRP (24). Semba et al showed that oxidative stress and inflammation might be associated with RDW increase (25). Recently it has been shown that RDW is an essential marker of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress (26).…”