Stability after thawing of RBCs frozen with the high- and low-glycerol method.
BACKGROUND
RBCs can be frozen with either the high-glycerol method (HGM) or the low-glycerol method (LGM). To date, the use of frozen RBCs is hampered by a 24-hour outdating period after thawing. A closed washing system (ACP 215) may solve this problem.


METHODS
We compared the effects of high- (40%) and low-glycerol (19%) concentration, with and without freezing (at -80 degrees C for HGM, -196 degrees C for LGM) on the in vitro quality of RBCs after deglycerolization with the closed washing system and during storage at 4 degrees C in SAGM after thawing.


RESULTS
Glycerol treatment by itself induced hemolysis during processing, which was more pronounced in HGM cells. The freeze-thaw-wash process decreased the stability of RBCs, particularly in LGM cells during storage after thawing. In contrast to LGM cells, in HGM cells no additional effect of freeze or thaw on stability of washed cells was seen during the first week of storage after thawing. Changes in osmotic resistance and cellular metabolism could not explain the observed differences in RBC stability.


CONCLUSIONS
The closed washing system is able to process both high- and low-glycerol-treated RBCs. Stability after washing during cold storage in SAGM, as measured by hemolysis, is better for HGM cells as compared to LGM cells.
Lelkens
Charles C M
CC
Military Blood Bank, Leiden, The Netherlands. ccm.lelkens@mindef.nl
Noorman
Femke
F
Koning
Jack G
JG
Truijens-de Lange
Rosa
R
Stekkinger
Perry S
PS
Bakker
Joa C
JC
Lagerberg
Johan W M
JW
Brand
Anneke
A
Verhoeven
Arthur J
AJ
D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000592:standards; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D013696:Temperature
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D005990:Glycerol