Possible Mechanism of Action by Which Phenothiazine Derivatives Preserve Stored Blood

Abstract

Removal of cholinesterase from the surface of the erythrocyte which occurs during storage of whole blood can be prevented by the phenothiazine drugs, Phenergan (10-(2-dimethylamino-I-propyl) phenothiazine), Pyrrolazote (10-[2-(-1-pyrrolidyl) ethyl]-phenothiazine hydrochloride), chlor-promazine and to some extent by quinine. This transfer of enzyme from the cell to the plasma appears to be caused by lysolecithin formed by the action of lecithinase on lecithin. The inhibitory effect of the phenothiazine drugs on hemolysis, thus does not appear to be related to their antihistaminic action nor to their anticholinergic action.