Summary
Erythrocyte blood composition was studied in 2 volunteers and in 19 patients treated with a course of complete starvation. Periods of complete alimentary starvation (without limiting the water intake) ranged from 9 to 40 days.
Concentration of erythrocytes — hemoglobin as well as hematocrit indices — proved to be increased during the first period of starvation (2–4 days) and did not drop below the initial figures even during the remote periods of starvation (13–40 days). At the same time the peripheral reticulocyte count showed a steady progressive reduction with the prolongation of starvation periods. The peripheral blood data were confirmed by the bone marrow puncture material obtained at various periods of complete starvation and subsequent nutrition. Phenomena of intensified regenerative processes were seen during the subsequent restorative period; the maximal development of the latter was observed not directly after the discontinuation of starvation, but in 1.5–2.5 weeks. The type of the shifts noted was the same in healthy individuals and in mentally ill patients, which permitted a conclusion to be drawn on the common biological character of the complete alimentary starvation effect on the human body.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
K. A. Agamova, Medullary hemopoiesis during fasting and the effect of intravenous infusions of nonspecies-specific seru. Candidate disseratation, Moscow, 1954.
V. A. Val'dman. Arterial Dystonias and Dystrophies [in Russian], p. 97. Leningrad, 1961.
A. I. Vorob'ev. In the book: Current Problems in Hematology [in Russian], p. 314. Moscow, 1960.
R. A. Zaitseva. Regenerative processes in the marrow of young animals in normal conditions, and during fasting and parenteral feeding. Candidate dissertation, Moscow, 1955.
E. N. Zorin. In the book: Collected Researches in Physiology [in Russian], p. 198. Moscow. 1939.
Ya. Kagan. The blood and blood presure in starvation. Dissertation St. Petersburg, 1884.
I. A. Kassirskii and G. A. Alekseev. Clinical Hematology [in Russian], p. 77. Moscow, 1955.
P. V. Lyubomudrov. Changes in the blood and certain organs during starvation. Dissertation. St. Petersburg, 1893.
E. N. Machavariani. Morphological changes in the peripheral blood and hemopoietic apparatus in experimental alimentary dystrophy. Candidate dissertaton, Tbilisi, 1952.
Yu. S. Nikolaev. Starvation treatment of schizophrenia and its physiological basis. Doctorate dissertation, Moscow, 1959.
V. V. Pashutin. A Course in General and Experimental Pathology [in Russian], Vol. 2, part 1. St. Peterburg, 1902.
L. R. Perel'man. In the book: Textbook of Pathological Physiology [in Russian], Vol. 2, p. 89, Kiev, 1947.
V. F. Prusskii, and G. A. Shusterov. Moskovsk. med. zh., 5, 4 (1928).
O. S. Sol'ts. Anatomical changes in the bone marrow of animals during complete starvation and subsequent feeding. Dissertation, Vil'na, 1894.
S. I. Frankshtein. Disturbance and Restoration of the Functions of an Injured Organ [in Russian], Moscow, 1948.
A. Ya. Yaroshevskii. Zh. vyssh. nervn. deyat., 5, 674, (1954).
F. G. Benedict, A Study of Prolonged Fasting. Washington, 1915.
T. Caspersson. Cell Growth and Cell Function. Norton, A. Cytochemical Study, New York, 1960.
Curtis, cited by F. G. Benedict.
A. Egoroff, W. J. Laptewa-Popowa, M. Laptewa-Popowa, et al., Folia heamat. (Lpz), 1935, Bd. 53, S. 155.
Luciani, cited by F. G. Benedict.
S. Morgulis, Hunger und Unterernährung Berlin, 1923, S. 184.
E. G. Schenck and H. E. Meyer, Das Fasten. Stuttgart 1938.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shapiro, Y.L. Changes in the erythrocytes during prolonged fasting and subsequent feeding. Bull Exp Biol Med 55, 511–514 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00784404
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00784404