title: Synthesis and evaluation of a prototypal artificial red cell.
abstract: A new process allows microencapsulation of purified human hemoglobin and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate to form neohemocytes. The microcapsule membrane is composed of phospholipids and cholesterol. Neohemocytes are substantially smaller than erythrocytes, contain 15.1 grams per decaliter of hemoglobin, and have a P50 value (the partial pressure of oxygen at which the hemoglobin is half-saturated) of 24.0 torr. All rats given 50-percent exchange transfusions survived with only limited evidence of reversible toxicity. Normal serum glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase values at 1, 7, and 30 days after transfusion were consistent with minimal hepatotoxicity. The concentration of blood urea-nitrogen was elevated by 35 percent after 1 day but returned to normal by day 7. However, histopathology revealed normal kidneys on day 1 as well as on days 7 and 30. Neohemocytes cleared from the circulation of transfused rats with an apparent half-life of 5.8 hours.
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D001802:Blood Substitutes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000209:etiology; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D001802:Blood Substitutes; D006454:Hemoglobins; D003404:Creatinine; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin; D010100:Oxygen