Potentiation of erythroid abnormalities following macrophage depletion in aged rats.

Objectives: The effects of prolonged macrophage depletion on haematological parameters were investigated in aged rats and compared with those in young ones.

Methods: Four weekly i.v.

Aging of red blood cells and impaired erythropoiesis following prolonged administration of dichloromethylene diphosphonate containing liposomes in rats.

Objectives: To investigate whether macrophage-depleted rats may serve as a model for studying red blood cell (RBC) aging.

Methods: Rats were macrophage-depleted by 4 weekly injections of dichloromethylene diphosphonate-containing liposomes (Cl2MDP-CL). The macrophage content of spleens and bone marrows (BMs) was investigated by immunohistochemistry and light microscopy and by flow cytometry, respectively, after staining with macrophage-specific monoclonal antibodies.