Extended Storage of Human Platelets at 22 C: Changes in Glycogen and Adenine Nucleotide Metabolism

Abstract

The energy metabolism of human plantelets stored at 22.degree. C with continuous agitation was studied. Freshly prepared platelets contain 9.7 mg of glycogen, 9.1 .mu.mol of ATP, 3.7 .mu.mol of ADP, 0.9 .mu.mol of AMP per 1011 platelets and had an adenylate charge of 0.8. In the first 72 h of storage there was no appreciable change in the glycogen content, adenylate charge and rate of ATP pool labeling. Therefore, on the basis of these results, the early impairment of function reported by others cannot be ascribed to alterations in the platelet energy metabolism. Upon further storage there was a progressive loss of adenylate and glycogen while hypoxanthine accumulates extracellularly.