The effect of storage time of human red cells on intestinal microcirculatory oxygenation in a rat isovolemic exchange model.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the storage time of human leukodepleted red blood cell concentrates compromises intestinal microvascular oxygen concentration oxygen (muPo(2)) during isovolemic exchange transfusion at low hematocrit.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, controlled study.


METHODS
University research institute laboratory.


METHODS
Male Wistar rats.


METHODS
Intestinal muPo(2) was determined by Pd-porphyrin phosphorescence life-time measurements.


RESULTS
Rats were brought near to a state of oxygen supply dependency by hemodilution with a pasteurized plasma protein solution to a hematocrit of 14.3 +/- 1.1% (n = 24). Subsequently, an isovolemic exchange transfusion with human leukodepleted red blood cells, stored for 2-6 days (fresh, n = 8), 2-3 wks (intermediate, n = 8), or 5-6 wks (old, n = 8), was performed to determine whether intestinal muPo(2) would be preserved. Immunologic reactions were avoided by washing the red blood cell concentrates three times before use. Isovolemic exchange with fresh and intermediate red blood cells maintained muPo(2) whereas old cells decreased muPo(2) with 26%. Subsequent transfusion with red blood cells (hematocrit approximately 60%) until reaching a hematocrit of 32.4 +/- 2.1 % (n = 24) increased intestinal muPo(2) in all three groups to the same extent between 28% and 32%. No changes in red blood cell deformability, as determined by a Laser-assisted Optical Rotational Cell Analyzer, could be demonstrated during 5 wks of storage.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that at low hematocrit, the oxygen-delivering capacity of human red blood cells stored 5-6 wks is reduced compared with fresh cells and red blood cells stored for an intermediate period. Although red blood cells stored for 2-3 wks are completely devoid of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, their oxygen-delivering capacity to the intestines was the same as fresh red blood cells. Our study showed that red blood cell deformability was preserved during storage, suggesting that other mechanisms may account for the observed decrease in oxygen delivery by red blood cells stored 2-3 wks.
Raat
N J
NJ
Department of Physiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Verhoeven
A J
AJ
Mik
E G
EG
Gouwerok
C W
CW
Verhaar
R
R
Goedhart
P T
PT
de Korte
D
D
Ince
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility / Q000097:blood; D001793:Blood Preservation; D004905:Erythrocyte Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability / Q000502:physiology*; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D005078:Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013997:Time Factors
D010100:Oxygen