Effect of Blood Storage Conditions on the Electrophoretic Patterns of Red Cell Hemolysates1

Abstract

The shapes, concentrations, and mobilities of Components A and B change continually during storage. Measurement of an area designated as B/2, which represents about 1/2 of Component B, was used as an index of the changes occurring in the pattern during blood storage. When blood is stored in a cotton-plugged flask, the B/2 component concentration remains constant for about a month and then decreases at a steady rate. The B/2 concentration decreases after about a week when blood is stored (a) in stoppered tubes, (b) under mineral oil, (c) in plastic bags with and without an air space, and (d) in standard glass collection bottles. The B/2 material begins to decrease almost immediately during exposure to CO2. The results obtained after storage of blood at 0 and 4[degree]C are the same. At 8[degree] C, the B/2 concentration decreases rapidly. During storage of blood under a continuous stream of O2 or N2, the change in B/2 concentration is similar to that observed in the cotton-plugged flask. Continuous gentle stirring of blood during storage does not affect the B/2 component during the 1st month, but subsequently the rate of disappearance is marked. Addition of inosine to blood immediately after collection maintains the B/2 concentration at a constant level during a 2 month storage period in a plastic bag. Addition of inosine to blood stored in a plastic bag for 21 days causes an appreciable rise in B/2 concentration.