Chemical changes in stored blood, with observations on the effects of adenosine

Abstract

Changes in phosphate ester composition occurring in red cells stored at 4[degree] were investigated. During the first 3 weeks of storage the content of 2:3- diphosphoglycerate and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) decreases. The flow of P32 added as phosphate into 2:3-diphosphoglycerate exceeds by several times that into ATP. In the presence of adenosine the concentration of 2:3-diphosphoglycerate is maintained for periods up to 6 weeks at 4[degree]. On reincubation at 37[degree] after storage for 3 weeks at 4[degree] red cells lose their ability to utilize glucose. This can be restored by adenosine; the ability to utilize glucose appears to be related to levels of ATP within the cell. Restoration can occur after 6 weeks of storage in the presence of adenosine.