Features of acid–base balance of bone marrow

Lyudmila P Nikolaeva

doi:10.4103/ami.ami_80_17

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Year : 2018 | Volume : 5 | Issue : 2 | Page : 55-57

Features of acid–base balance of bone marrow

Lyudmila P Nikolaeva
Prof. Dyhno, Department of Surgical Conditions with Courses in Endoscopy and Endosurgery, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia

Date of Web Publication

28-Dec-2018

Correspondence Address:
Mrs. Lyudmila P Nikolaeva
Ulitsa Partizana Zhelesnyaka, 1, Krasnoyarsk, 660022
Russia

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

DOI: 10.4103/ami.ami_80_17

Abstract

Context: Bone marrow (BM) pH has rarely been measured, and the long BM has barely been studied at all because intravital obtaining of the long BM is impossible due to the extreme strength of the long bone tissue. Aims: The study aimed to investigate the acid–base balance of the BM and to compare the acid–base properties of long BM and flat BM. Subjects and Methods: Forty flat BM samples were extracted by sternal puncture. Forty long BM samples were extracted from the femora in patients who had to have a limb amputated. A blood gas and acid–base status analyzer were used to determine pH. Results: Flat BM pH is similar to blood p; the long BM pH is acidic and ranges from 6.7 to 6.9. Hematopoietic stem cells occur in both acidic and slightly alkaline environments. The blood gas and acid–base status analyzer used in this study are suitable for determining the acid–base properties of BM. Conclusions: The acid–base status appears to be an important factor of stem cell differentiation. This paper can be of interest to biotechnologists and researchers who investigate possibilities to influence the differentiation and properties of the stem cells.

Keywords: Bone marrow, stem cells, sternal puncture, tubular bone marrow

How to cite this article:
Nikolaeva LP. Features of acid–base balance of bone marrow. Acta Med Int 2018;5:55-7

How to cite this URL:
Nikolaeva LP. Features of acid–base balance of bone marrow. Acta Med Int [serial online] 2018 [cited 2023 May 29];5:55-7. Available from: https://www.actamedicainternational.com/text.asp?2018/5/2/55/248391

Introduction

The acid–base balance, or blood pH, has an important function within the body.^[1] An imbalance in acids or bases can have dangerous consequences for human health.^[2] Normal blood pH varies depending on the blood vessel. Venous blood pH is usually 7.32–7.42, while arterial blood pH is 7.36–7.43. In medical practice, life is normally no possible if blood pH falls below 6.8 or rises above 7.8.

The acid–base status of the bone marrow (BM) has been little studied both in practical medicine and scientific research. However, such indicant may be critical for the assessment of the expected response to treatment and the functional state of the BM.^[3],[4] By changing the pH value, one can, probably, affect the activity and the differentiation of the stem cells.^[5],[6] Acidosis can be caused by alcoholism or complications associated with diabetes, such as inadequate delivery of oxygen to the organs and tissues.^[7],[8]

When studying BM pH, it is necessary to collect enough measurements to determine the standard balance and the normal values. This research uses the BM pH values obtained in case of certain diseases; however, it can be hypothesized that such pH values are normal for the BM.

When extracting the BM for the purposes of this research, some samples were contaminated with blood and the pH values were significantly different that is why only the “clean” samples were selected for analysis. The interior milieu can be seen as an integrated system of humoral transport that includes the general blood flow and circulation in the continuous chain: blood – interstitial fluid – tissue (cell) – interstitial fluid – lymph – blood. It seems reasonable to include the BM into this chain.

Most intracellular processes follow at neutral pH when their rate is maximal. In biological tissues and organs, constant pH is maintained by means of the efficient buffer systems, which by their chemical nature, prevent the pH changes that occur during the metabolic processes.^{[9],[10],[11]} In some tissues and organs, a slight change in pH of the environment causes a manifestation of the biological activity. The acid–base balance of the long BM is considered in this paper. The stem cells of the BM determine the differentiation of cells into different types. Therefore, it is necessary to know to what extent the pH changes affect the physical properties and physiological activity of the BM.

Objectives of this research are (1) to determine p of the BM of the long and flat bones and to conduct a comparative analysis of the acid–base status of the BM depending on the site of sample aspiration and (2) to investigate the possibility to use a blood gas and acid–base status analyzer (Radiometer Medical ApS, Akandevej 21 DK-2700 Bronshoj, Denmark) to determine p status of the BM.

Subjects and Methods

Forty long BM samples were obtained in patients who gave the informed consent. Patient's mean age was 63 ± 12 (mean ± standard deviation) years. Twenty-five (62.5%) participants were male and 15 (37.5%) participants were female. Most patients (96%) had diabetes mellitus type 2 complicated by neuroischemic diabetic foot syndrome. Due to sphacelation, each patient had a lower limb amputated. The BM was extracted from the femur (upper or lower third of the thigh bone) into a sterile test tube, and the samples were transported to the laboratory.

Forty flat BM samples were extracted by sternal puncture in hematological patients and undiagnosed patients for diagnostic purposes. For comparison, flat BM samples were also obtained in patients who did not have hematologic malignancies. The BM extraction by sternal puncture was carried out in a standard way: the sternum front was punctured with Kassirsky's needle at the level of III–IV ribs along the mammillary line or near manubrium of the sternum; the needle penetrated the compact substance of the frontal surface of the sternum and entered the medullary space, which feels like reaching a cavity. Next, the mandrel was removed from the sternal needle and a 20 ml syringe was attached to aspirate the bone contents, and 1–2 ml of blood was extracted by applying vacuum. The contents of the syringes were delivered to the laboratory.

The use of hospital's analyzer constituted a risk because of the possibility to put it into inoperable condition.^{[12],[13],[14]} The cell pellets and adipose tissue were removed by 10-min settling of the samples, at that the BM fat rises to the upper layer. Without disturbing the upper layer, the lower phase containing the nuclear cells of the BM was withdrawn into a clean tube. In addition, the obtained BM was twice filtered through four layers of gauze fabric to exclude damage to the analyzer. Acid–base properties were determined on a blood gas and acid–base status analyzer (Radiometer Medical ApS, Akandevej 21 DK-2700 Bronshoj, Denmark). This paper focuses on the acid–base balance; however, the data on the BM gas composition can also be of interest.^[15]

Results

For the BM samples obtained by sternal puncture from flat bones, the values ranged within blood pH: 7.35–7.45 to 7.8. The study included data of patients whose diagnosis was not confirmed. The pH values and gas composition of the BM samples obtained by sternal puncture were identical to those of blood.^{[16],[17],[18]}

The studied properties of the BM obtained from the long bones were different. The acid–base balance remained in a tight range from 6.7 to 6.9. If BM pH happened to be beyond these limits, it appeared that such samples were contaminated with blood, but only uncontaminated samples were selected for the purpose of this study. Most patients in this study had type 2 diabetes, which as the reason for lower limb amputation. However, the patients who were not diagnosed with diabetes have also had pH within the range from 6.7 to 6.9. Hence, type 2 diabetes could not have affected pH. Sites of hematopoiesis were sometimes observed in the long BM; these tissue sites were not removed. Blood pH of 7.4 is considered healthy and indicates that the blood chemistry is slightly alkaline. The values below this norm are described as acidic and indicate the increased acidity in the blood. Such state is called acidosis.

The comparison of the pH values of the flat BM obtained by sternal puncture and the long BM revealed a remarkable difference between the two series of samples. The flat BM (sternal puncture) has slightly alkaline properties, similar to blood,^{[19],[20],[21]} while the long BM has an acidic status of 6.7–6.9. Differing acid–base balance argues for the differences in the functional activity.^{[22],[23],[24]} Primarily, the BM in these samples can be distinguished by the cellular composition.

Further, the presence of stem cells was studied. In the flat BM, obtained by sternal puncture, only hematopoietic stem cells were found, while in the long BM, there were both hematopoietic and mesenchymal cells. It should be noted that hematopoietic cells in the long bones exist in the acidic environment, while the environment in the flat bones is slightly alkaline, similar to blood pH.^{[25],[26],[27]} It can be assumed that hematopoietic cells originate in the long BM, and their further differentiation or maturation occurs in the flat bones, where they become functionally active.

Discussion

By controlling or changing the pH values, it can be possible to alter the BM cellular composition in the desired direction and to affect the differentiation of cells and their functional state.^[28] The obtained results are subject to further analysis, and collection of data on the acid–base balance of the BM is to be continued.

This research revealed the following:

The BM (of both long and flat bones) has a permanent pH value
BM p depends on the type of bone: flat BM pH is similar to blood p; the long BM pH is acidic and ranges from 6.7 to 6.9
Hematopoietic stem cells occur in both acidic and slightly alkaline environments
Mesenchymal stem cells are, presumably, the source of hematopoietic stem cells and occur in the long bones in the acidic environment with pH of 6.7–6.9
The acid–base status appears to be an important factor of stem cell differentiation
A blood gas and acid–base status analyzer (Radiometer Medical ApS, Akandevej 21 DK-2700 Bronshoj, Denmark) is suitable for determining the acid–base properties of BM.

The study of the acid–base properties of BM is to be continued.^[29] Given the development of stem cell technologies, the ability to control the stem cell differentiation and direct it as required using the environment pH is an urgent and relevant issue.

Acknowledgment

This research was made possible by the Krasnoyarsk Krai Fund for Research and Scientific-Technological Activities.

Financial support and sponsorship

This research was made possible by the Krasnoyarsk Krai Fund for Research and Scientific-Technological Activities.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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