Figure 1.

Effects of repeated long‐term phlebotomy in rats. A,B, Body weight. There was no significant weight loss in any group. C,D, Hematocrit. The hematocrit was maintained as low as possible. In female rats that underwent phlebotomy twice per month (biweekly; Phleb‐2), we could not reduce the hematocrit at the safe maximal phlebotomy dose. E,F, Serum iron. Rats that underwent phlebotomy four times per month (weekly; Phleb‐4) showed a low level. Serum was collected at ~2:00 pm. A‐D, Treatment groups: Saline (male, n = 7; female, n = 10); non‐therapeutic (NT; male, n = 10; female, n = 6); Phleb‐2 (male, n = 11; female, n = 5); and Phleb‐4 (male, n = 8; female, n = 5). E,F, Treatment groups: Saline (male, n = 5; female, n = 5), NT (male, n = 9; female, n = 5), Phleb‐2 (male, n = 11; female, n = 5); and Phleb‐4 (male, n = 8; female, n = 5). Means, *P < .05, **P < .01, ***P < .005. All groups were compared with the NT group by Student's t‐test. The saline group was not injected with asbestos, and the other groups were injected with 5 mg crocidolite