Significance of Reticulocyte as Index of Regeneration in Different Types of Experimental Anemias.

Abstract

A new emphasis has recently been placed on the reticulocyte count of the circulating blood through its introduction by Minot and Murphy as a convenient check of the effects of a liver diet in Pernicious Anemia. In the untreated cases of Pernicious Anemia during the anemic stage the reticulocyte count is usually less than 1%, and sometimes nil. The behavior of the reticulocyte count during a spontaneous remission can hardly be studied now, since one does not feel justified in waiting for such a remission to occur. We have endeavored by the production of different types of anemias to use the reticulocyte count as a measure for the intensity of spontaneous regeneration of erythrocytes. One of the authors has recently pointed out the usefulness, in the consideration of the anemias, strictly to distinguish between the morphological and chemical phases of blood regeneration. In Phenylhydrazine anemia we encounter an anemia due chiefly to the destruction of the erythrocyte with but little loss of the hemoglobin from the body, and as far as we know, without any direct damage to the hemoglobin synthesis in the body.

The second type of anemia which we have employed—destroying erythrocytes by intravenous injections of distilled water—is similar to Phenylhydrazine Anemia in this respect that only a small amount of the liberated hemoglobin is lost through the kidney, the largest amount being disposed of within the organism.

In direct opposition to these 2 types stands the third type of anemia produced by repeated bleeding, in which form the cells are removed and no hemoglobin or hemoglobin products are left in the organism.