In vitro efficacy of frozen erythrocytes: implementation of new strategicblood stores to alleviate resource shortage (issue revisited)

Authors: RIZA AYTAÇ ÇETİNKAYA, SONER YILMAZ, İBRAHİM EKER, AYTEKİN ÜNLÜ, METİN UYANIK, SERKAN TAPAN, AHMET PEKOĞLU, ALİYE AYSEL PEKEL, ZERRİN ERTAŞ, ORHAN GÜRSEL, UĞUR HACİ MUŞABAK, SEBAHATTİN YILMAZ, İSMAİL YAŞAR AVCI, AHMET TÜRKER ÇETİN, CAN POLAT EYİGÜN

Abstract: Background/aim: Currently, the provision of blood products largely depends on walking blood banks and limited amounts of stored blood with short shelf lives. We aimed to compare the efficacy of erythrocyte concentrate (ECs) by pre- and postfreezing in vitro tests. Materials and methods: In our study, 10 ECs were glycerolized, frozen, thawed, and then deglycerolized using the Naval Blood Research Laboratory method. In addition to using the standard tests, ATP and 2,3-DPG levels and the viability of erythrocytes were also determined. Results: The prefreezing mean viability rates of erythrocytes changed from 89.7 ± 13.7% to 98.6 ± 1.8% after thawing and deglycerolization. Prefreezing and day 0 ATP levels (1.64 ± 0.15 µmol/g Hb and 1.81 ± 0.14 µmol/g Hb, respectively) were similar. The 2,3-DPG levels decreased from 18.09 ± 4.78 µmol/g Hb measured before the procedure to 10.41 ± 4.58 µmol/g Hb on day 0. The mean hemolysis rates and supernatant Hb levels changed from 0.21 ± 0.11% to 0.36 ± 0.12% and 1 ± 0.5 g/L to 1.5 ± 0.5 g/L, respectively. Conclusion: The test results showed the efficacy of the frozen-thawed ECs to be used in humans for a broad spectrum of clinical indications. As a part of a contingency plan, national frozen blood reserves need to be established.

Keywords: Cryopreservation, erythrocyte concentrates, blood transfusion, flow cytometric analysis

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