Pentoxifylline attenuates leukoreduced stored blood-induced neutrophil activation through inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases.
BACKGROUND
Transfusion of packed red blood cells is an independent risk factor for postoperative bacterial infections and multiple organ failure.


METHODS
Whole blood was obtained from healthy volunteers to investigate the role of mitogen associated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in PRBC-induced neutrophil respiratory burst, hypothesizing that the attenuating effects of pentoxifylline on this process are due to modulations in MAPK-associated signaling.


RESULTS
Pre-incubation of neutrophils with supernatant prior to fMLP stimulation increased p38 MAPK and ERK phosphorylation over fMLP alone pentoxifylline significantly reduced p38MAPK and ERK phosphorylation in similarly stimulated neutrophils.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of pentoxifylline stored red blood cells attenuates neutrophil activation.
Costantini
Todd W
TW
Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and Burns, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA.
Deree
Jessica
J
Martins
Joilson O
JO
Loomis
William H
WH
Bansal
Vishal
V
Coimbra
Raul
R
D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D047589:Leukocyte Reduction Procedures; D018375:Neutrophil Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D010431:Pentoxifylline