title: Evolution of adverse changes in stored RBCs.
abstract: Recent studies have underscored questions about the balance of risk and benefit of RBC transfusion. A better understanding of the nature and timing of molecular and functional changes in stored RBCs may provide strategies to improve the balance of benefit and risk of RBC transfusion. We analyzed changes occurring during RBC storage focusing on RBC deformability, RBC-dependent vasoregulatory function, and S-nitrosohemoglobin (SNO-Hb), through which hemoglobin (Hb) O(2) desaturation is coupled to regional increases in blood flow in vivo (hypoxic vasodilation). Five hundred ml of blood from each of 15 healthy volunteers was processed into leukofiltered, additive solution 3-exposed RBCs and stored at 1-6 degrees C according to AABB standards. Blood was subjected to 26 assays at 0, 3, 8, 24 and 96 h, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 weeks. RBC SNO-Hb decreased rapidly (1.2 x 10(-4) at 3 h vs. 6.5 x 10(-4) (fresh) mol S-nitrosothiol (SNO)/mol Hb tetramer (P = 0.032, mercuric-displaced photolysis-chemiluminescence assay), and remained low over the 42-day period. The decline was corroborated by using the carbon monoxide-saturated copper-cysteine assay [3.0 x 10(-5) at 3 h vs. 9.0 x 10(-5) (fresh) mol SNO/mol Hb]. In parallel, vasodilation by stored RBCs was significantly depressed. RBC deformability assayed at a physiological shear stress decreased gradually over the 42-day period (P < 0.001). Time courses vary for several storage-induced defects that might account for recent observations linking blood transfusion with adverse outcomes. Of clinical concern is that SNO levels, and their physiological correlate, RBC-dependent vasodilation, become depressed soon after collection, suggesting that even "fresh" blood may have developed adverse biological characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Elliott
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bennett-Guerrero
authors.forename: Tim H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Veldman
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doctor
authors.forename: Marilyn J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Telen
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Ortel
authors.forename: T Scott
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mulherin
authors.forename: Hongmei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Raymond D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Buck
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Califf
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: McMahon
mesh_terms: D019794:2,3-Diphosphoglycerate / Q000378:metabolism; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D048430:Cell Shape; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D026403:S-Nitrosothiols / Q000378:metabolism; D033081:Shear Strength; D013997:Time Factors; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D026403:S-Nitrosothiols; C103574:S-nitrosohemoglobin; D019794:2,3-Diphosphoglycerate; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011188:Potassium; D010100:Oxygen