Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026
Author Spotlight: Developing a Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Estimation Method for Anemia Management
Published on: January 19, 2024
Persistent injury-associated anemia and aging: Novel insights
Tyler J Loftus1, Kolenkode B Kannan, Christy S Carter
1From the Department of Surgery and Sepsis and Critical Illness Research Center (T.J.L., K.B.K., J.C.M., S.C.B., C.L., P.A.E., A.M.M.), University of Florida Health, Gainesville, Florida; Institute on Aging (C.S.C., C.L.), University of Florida Health, Gainesville, Florida; and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (J.M.P.), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Background:
Hypercatecholaminemia and bone marrow dysfunction have been implicated in the pathophysiology of persistent injury-associated anemia. The elderly may be more vulnerable to bone marrow dysfunction due to high basal and peak catecholamine levels and impaired hematopoietic progenitor growth. We hypothesized that aging would adversely affect persistent injury-associated anemia.
Methods:
Male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8 to 9 weeks and F344-BN rats aged 25 months were randomized to naive controls, lung contusion plus hemorrhagic shock (LCHS), and LCHS plus daily chronic restraint stress (LCHS/CS). Urine norepinephrine was measured on Days 1 and 7. Mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), bone marrow colony-forming units-erythroid growth, and peripheral blood hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and red cell distribution width (RDW) were assessed on Day 7 (*p < 0.05 young vs. aged counterpart by one-way analysis of variance).
Results:
Aged rats had higher norepinephrine levels at naive baseline (97* vs. 27 ng/mL) and 7 days following LCHS/CS when compared with young (359* vs. 127 ng/mL). Following LCHS/CS, HPC mobilization was greater among young rats when compared with aged (5.4 vs. 2.5%). Colony-forming units-erythroid growth was lower among aged animals for each group (naive: 47* vs. 65; LCHS: 40* vs. 50; LCHS/CS: 38* vs. 44 cells/plate). Aged naive rats had higher initial hemoglobin (15.2* vs. 14.3 g/dL) but lower MCV (48* vs. 59 fL/cell) and larger RDW at baseline and greater differences 7 days after LCHS/CS (MCV: 46* vs. 60 fL/cell; RDW: 17.4* vs. 16.3%).
Conclusions:
Compared with young rats, aged rats had less HPC mobilization despite elevated basal and peak norepinephrine. Aged rats were disproportionately affected by impaired hematopoietic progenitor growth and an iron-restricted red blood cell phenotype at baseline, which persisted 7 days after injury. Further research is needed to assess how the clinical approach to persistent injury-associated anemia should differ for elderly trauma patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
01:22Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
01:22Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption