An experiment with glycerol-frozen red blood cells stored at -80 degrees C for up to 37 years.
OBJECTIVE
Red cells frozen using 40% W/V glycerol are currently FDA approved for frozen storage at -80 degrees C for up to 10 years.


METHODS
Red cells frozen with 40% W/V glycerol and stored at -80 degrees C for up to 37 years were thawed, deglycerolized, and stored at 4 degrees C for 24 h.


RESULTS
Red cells frozen for up to 37 years had mean freeze-thaw-wash recovery values of 75%, less than 1% hemolysis, and normal ATP, 2,3-DPG and P50 levels, and 60% of normal RBC K(+) levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Red cells frozen with 40% W/V glycerol can be stored at -80 degrees C for up to 37 years with acceptable in vitro results.
Valeri
C R
CR
Naval Blood Research Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
Ragno
G
G
Pivacek
L E
LE
Cassidy
G P
GP
Srey
R
R
Hansson-Wicher
M
M
Leavy
M E
ME
D019794:2,3-Diphosphoglycerate / Q000097:blood; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000097:blood; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D012996:Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
D000925:Anticoagulants; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins; D012996:Solutions; D019794:2,3-Diphosphoglycerate; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D012964:Sodium; D005990:Glycerol; D011188:Potassium; D010100:Oxygen