Glucose ameliorates the metabolic profile and mitochondrial function of platelet concentrates during storage in autologous plasma.
BACKGROUND
It is essential that the quality of platelet metabolism and function remains high during storage in order to ensure the clinical effectiveness of a platelet transfusion. New storage conditions and additives are constantly evaluated in order to achieve this. Using glucose as a substrate is controversial because of its potential connection with increased lactate production and decreased pH, both parameters triggering the platelet lesion during storage.


METHODS
In this study, we analysed the morphological status and metabolic profile of platelets stored for various periods in autologous plasma enriched with increasing glucose concentrations (13.75, 27.5 and 55 mM). After 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 days, high energy phosphates (ATP, GTP, ADP, AMP), oxypurines (hypoxanthine, xanthine, uric acid), lactate, pH, mitochondrial function, cell lysis and morphology, were evaluated.


RESULTS
The data showed a significant dose-dependent improvement of the different parameters in platelets stored with increasing glucose, compared to what detected in controls. Interestingly, this phenomenon was more marked at the highest level of glucose tested and in the period of time generally used for platelet transfusion (0-6 days).


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that the addition of glucose during platelet storage ameliorates, in a dose-dependent manner, the biochemical parameters related to energy metabolism and mitochondrial function. Since there was no correspondence between glucose addition, lactate increase and pH decrease in our experiments, it is conceivable that platelet derangement during storage is not directly caused by glucose through an increase of anaerobic glycolysis, but rather to a loss of mitochondrial functions caused by reduced substrate availability.
Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Angela M
AM
Amorini
Michele
M
Tuttobene
Flora M
FM
Tomasello
Filomena
F
Biazzo
Stefano
S
Gullotta
Vito
V
De Pinto
Giuseppe
G
Lazzarino
Barbara
B
Tavazzi
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001793:Blood Preservation; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D010949:Plasma; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013549:Sweetening Agents; D005947:Glucose