Blood type – parameter that classifies people into different types. This is a special criterion that is given to us from birth. In humans, the blood type does not change throughout life. But single blood can be changed in the laboratory. This is what different scientists have been doing for decades.
The love for comparative analysis pushes scientific specialists to find out how and how different blood groups are from each other. Can all types of blood be transfused to different people or is there some kind of universal blood for transfusion?
The online publication estet-portal.com tells about this .
- How blood is divided into groups
- Experiments in creating universal blood for transfusion
- Are blood types and human health related
How blood is divided into groups
Blood consists of different cells, which are based on erythrocytes. These are blood cells, their membrane contains proteins and protein-carbohydrate complexes. In the AB0 system, 2 complexes are separated – A and B. It is their presence that determines the blood type.
The basic blood distribution system was discovered back in 1900 by Landsteiner and deservedly won the Nobel Prize 30 years later. According to this system, all blood is divided into 4 types 0, A, B, AB, they are also called I, II, III, IV.
What is the difference between blood types:
• 0 or І – this blood type is distinguished by the absence of agglutinogens A, B;
• A or II – blood cells contain only the A complex;
• B or III – erythrocytes have proteins B;
• AB or IV – owners of both complexes.
Not all blood is suitable for all people. When transfusing, it is very important to take into account that blood of group A contains antibodies to antigen B, and blood of group B, in turn, to antigen A.
Plasma type 0 (I) both antibodies are present, while blood type AB does not have any antibodies.
Transfusion of blood with incompatible antigens may cause adverse effects.
Studying blood compatibility is very important when planning a transfusion. Mismatched blood types are one of the most common causes of serious and sometimes fatal events.
Based on this, group 0 (I) erythrocytes, which lack both A and B antigens, have been found to be the only blood group available for everyone to receive transfusions. Therefore, group 0 is considered universal blood.
There are cases when a person in the body combines several blood groups. This happens in patients with bone marrow transplants. This phenomenon in nature is called chimerism.
Experiments in the creation of universal blood for transfusion
Realizing that universal blood is 0(I), scientists began to actively conduct research into its creation by piecemeal.
The essence of blood changes lies in the processing of erythrocyte complexes with special enzymes. These enzymes remove immunodominant sugar residues and convert them into group 0 erythrocytes.
The Chinese were among the first to try to make a unique blood based on albumin protein.
Romanian scientists universal blood created from salt, water and the protein hemerythrin, which is extracted from sea worms.
Scientists from Britain took stem cells as the basis of their development. They plan to create universal blood with a negative Rh factor suitable for 98% of people.
In 2007, scientists from Copenhagen made a breakthrough with the creation of enzymes from the bacterium Bacteroides fragilis, which remove the B antigen, and from the bacterium Elizabethkingia meningosepticum, which removes the A antigen from the blood. Thus, the universal blood of group 0 is obtained.
The latest development was made by scientists from the University of British Columbia in the USA. Stephen Withers and his colleagues have extracted 20,000 different DNA samples from gut bacteria through research.
He was able to discover that some bacteria can produce enzymes that transform the blood. So the biochemist managed to convert any blood type into universal 0-negative blood.
Newly developed blood may not be universal for absolutely every person. Its application in practice is still being studied in detail and will take time, but it is known for sure that it will help save millions of human lives.
Are blood types and human health related
A lot of research has been carried out, and it has been found that in a small percentage, blood type actually affects various tendencies and the development of diseases in a person.
It is certain that:
• People with blood type I are less likely to suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system, but suffer more from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially ulcers.
• The owners of blood group II are more likely to experience thrombosis compared to other groups.
• Group III has a low percentage of Parkinson's disease.
• Carriers of the I blood group also have strong immunity.
• And carriers of group II are better disposed to sports and physical activity.
This confirms that the blood type affects a person's life, but obviously does not determine it 100%.
However, the hypothesis of eating by blood type is not completely confirmed and remains only an assumption.
Universal blood is not a myth, but a reality - this is the 1st group. It is suitable for all transfusions as it lacks both A and B antigens.
The invention of universal blood will artificially help increase the percentage of human lives saved and will be a breakthrough in medicine.
The blood is purified from antigens with the help of enzymes. A lot of research is being done on this issue, but all of them require improvements and testing.
We hope that in the near future universal blood will become available for any transfusion and will help in operations.
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