In vitro and in vivo measurements of human RBCs frozen with glycerol and subjected to various storage temperatures before deglycerolization and storage at 4 degrees C for 3 days.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to assess the effects of changes in storage temperature of frozen RBCs such as might occur during a malfunction of the -80 degrees C mechanical freezer or during shipment.


METHODS
Fifteen participants donated blood for autologous transfusion of RBCs; all RBCs were frozen with 40-percent (wt/vol) glycerol. Five subjects received RBCs that were stored at -80 degrees C alone before transfusion. Five subjects received RBCs that were stored initially at -80 degrees C, then at -40 degrees C for 4 weeks, and finally at -80 degrees C before transfusion. Five subjects received RBCs that were stored at -80 degrees C, then at -20 degrees C for 2 weeks, and finally at -80 degrees C before transfusion. After deglycerolization, the RBCs were stored at 4 degrees C in a sodium chloride-glucose solution for 3 days before transfusion.


RESULTS
No significant differences were observed in freeze-thaw recovery, freeze-thaw-wash recovery, 24-hour posttransfusion survival, index of therapeutic effectiveness, or RBC ATP levels. Greater hemolysis and reduced RBC K+ levels were observed in the units stored at -80 degrees C/-40 degrees C/-80 degrees C and in those stored at -80 degrees C/ -20 degrees C/-80 degrees C compared with the units stored at -80 degrees C alone, but these differences did not affect the 24-hour posttransfusion survival.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicated that RBCs frozen with 40-percent (wt/vol) glycerol can be stored at -40 degrees C for 4 weeks or at -20 degrees C for 2 weeks between periods of frozen storage at -80 degrees C with satisfactory results.
Naval Blood Research Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA. navblood@bu.edu
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Valeri
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Pivacek
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Cassidy
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Ragno
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000097:blood; D002470:Cell Survival; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D005990:Glycerol; D011188:Potassium