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COMMENTS AND OPINIONS
Is Red Blood Cell Distribution Width a Marker of Overall Membrane Integrity?
Mark R. Goldstein, MD;
Luca Mascitelli, MD;
Francesca Pezzetta, MD
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We read the interesting and provocative observational study by Perlstein and colleagues1 demonstrating a direct and significant correlation of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) with subsequent death from all causes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic lower respiratory tract disease. We speculate that the RDW is a reflection of general membrane integrity, and a high RDW might be a surrogate for membrane instability.
Cholesterol, a major and essential structural component of all cell membranes, modulates the functions of membrane proteins and participates in membrane trafficking and signaling processes.2 As a result, alterations in membrane cholesterol content might adversely affect the functions of many organ systems. Interestingly, the quintile of subjects exhibiting the highest baseline RDW and subsequent highest mortality had the lowest baseline prevalence of hypercholesterolemia.1
Changes in blood cholesterol levels result in similar direction changes in cell membrane cholesterol . . . [Full Text of this Article]
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RELATED LETTER
Is Red Blood Cell Distribution Width a Marker of Overall Membrane Integrity?—Reply
Todd S. Perlstein, Jennifer Weuve, and Joshua A. Beckman
Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(16):1540.
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