title: Increased non-transferrin bound iron in plasma-depleted SAG-M red blood cell units.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) is associated with increased morbidity in a number of transfusion-dependent disease states such as the severe haemoglobinopathies. We hypothesized that this may be related to excess NTBI present in plasma-depleted red blood cell units that are free of clear haemolysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The level of NTBI was determined using the bleomycin assay in samples from 20 stored plasma-depleted red cell units, at approximate 5-day intervals up to day 33 after donation. Forty units of fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) and 40 units of platelet concentrates were used as negative controls, and samples from 12 units of FFP were also serially assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median [interquartile range (IQR)] NTBI was 0 microm (0-0.35) in samples taken from units 3-10 days after donation. Thereafter, the levels of NTBI increased, becoming significant (median 3.05; IQR: 0.05-6.7 microm) 17-22 days after donation. After 30 days, NTBI was detectable in all red cell units. NTBI was undetectable in platelet concentrates and FFP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased levels of NTBI become detectable 17-22 days after donation and increase further with storage time. This excess NTBI may promote bacterial infection in iron-loaded individuals.
authors.affiliation: The City Hospital NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK. Sukhijinder.Marwah@cityhospbham.wmids.nhs.uk
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Marwah
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lumley
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rea
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bareford
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D004912:Erythrocytes; D006801:Humans; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D014168:Transferrin / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010952:Plasma Substitutes; C051020:SAG-M blood; D014168:Transferrin