Author(s)

Teddy C. Adias, Anastecia Chika Igwilo, Zaccheaus Awortu Jeremiah

College of Health Technology, Otuogidi, Ogbia, Nigeria.
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Nigeria.

Background: The effect of repeated blood donation on some biochemical values of healthy adult male blood donors in Calabar, Nigeria was studied. Methods: One hundred and fifty three (153) healthy repeat blood donors and 90 first time blood donors constituted the study population. Samples were analyzed using colorimetric procedures. Results: The BMI values of 24.4 ± 2.4 kg/ m² in the first time donors was significantly higher than the 21.7 ± 1.7 kg/m² obtained in repeat donors (P < 0.001). Among all the biochemical parameters, total cholesterol showed a significant change of 2.55 ± 0.74 mmol/l after repeated donations as compared to 3.45 ± 1.47 mmol/l in the first time donors (P < 0.005). Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) was significantly higher in repeat donors (70.5 ± 13.5 μl) than the first time donors (62.5 ± 13.3 μl) (P < 0.05). An LDL value of 1.02 ± 0.8 mmol/l in repeat donors was significantly lower than 1.69 ± 1.0 mmol/l in first time donors (P < 0.05). A VLDL value of 0.32 ± 0.2 mmol/l in repeat donors was equally lower than 0.44 ± 0.2 mmol/l obtained in the first time donors (P < 0.05). GGT showed positive correlation with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) at P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively among the repeat blood donors. Triglycerides showed a positive correlation with very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) among repeat donors at P < 0.05 significant level. Pearson correlation analysis also indicates that a significant positive relationship exists between GGT and low density lipoprotein (r = 0.891, P < 0.001). The regression analysis defined the relationship as linear (y = 0.0578x + 36.87; r² = 0.7934, P < 0.05). Conclusion: A reduction in the values of some lipid profiles and high GGT activity is associated with repeated blood donations in this study population. Repeated blood donation may play a significant role in reducing the incidence of heart disease.

Blood Donation; Gamma Glutamic Transferase; Body Mass Index; Lipid Profiles

T. Adias, A. Igwilo and Z. Jeremiah, "Repeat Whole Blood Donation Correlates Significantly with Reductions in BMI and Lipid Profiles and Increased Gamma Glutamic Transferase (GGT) Activity among Nigerian Blood Donors," Open Journal of Blood Diseases, Vol. 2 No. 4, 2012, pp. 90-94. doi: 10.4236/ojbd.2012.24017.