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Donating blood may do more than just help others—it could also enhance the health of your own blood cells. A recent study suggests that frequent blood donation may encourage the growth of beneficial blood cell mutations, potentially lowering the risk of blood-related diseases.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute in London analyzed blood samples from 217 men in Germany, aged 60 to 72, who had donated blood over 100 times. They compared these samples to those from 212 men of a similar age who had donated fewer than 10 times. The frequent donors were more likely to have mutations in a gene called DNMT3A, which appeared to improve their blood cell production.
To understand why, the researchers genetically modified human blood stem cells—cells that generate all blood cells—and observed their growth in lab dishes. When exposed to erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone released after blood loss, the mutated cells grew 50% faster than unmodified ones. Without EPO, both cell types grew at the same rate. This suggests that blood donation triggers a natural process that enhances the growth of beneficial blood cells.
Additionally, when these beneficial mutations were mixed with cells carrying mutations linked to leukemia, the DNMT3A-mutated cells outgrew the cancer-prone ones. This finding hints that frequent blood donation might offer some protection against blood cancers by promoting healthier blood cell regeneration.
However, experts caution that more research is needed. The study focused on a specific group, and results could vary across different populations, including women and younger donors. While donating blood is already known to save lives, this research suggests it may also contribute to a healthier blood system for donors themselves.
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