[Changes in the erythrocyte membrane during blood preservation. Influence of progesterone]

Modifications of the erythrocyte membrane during blood conservation are studied. The functional condition of the membrane was observed by means of the biosynthesis of lecithines; modifications occurring at the level of the composition of the membrane proteins were then looked for. The study has been carried out on fresh blood and on blood stroed for 8 days, 15 days, 29 days and 43 days. Another series of assays has been done on stored blood in the presence of progesterone after the same conservation periods. The metabolic activity of the membrane, in the lecithine biosynthesis is studied by measuring the incorporation of fatty acid in the lysolecithines when the membrane is incubated in the presence of linoleic acid or [14] palmitic acid and coenzyme A, or in the presence of [14C] palmitoyl coenzyme A. Variations have been observed during blood conservation: the incorporation or radioactive fatty acid increases during the first 15 days of conservation, then it decreases to a value nearing the original value after 43 days. When the blood is stored in the presence of progesterone (1,6 mumole/1) a more stable incorporation of the fatty acid is observed; variations during conservation are weaker than without progesterone. Membrane proteins have been studied by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel after solubilisation by sodium dodecyl sulfate. The intensity of protein zones after coloring, decreases during conservation especially in proteins with a high molecular weight. A quantitative study has been made by chromatography on Sephadex G200 of dansylated proteins with a fluorimetric dosage. In the presence of progesterone, the decrease of the rate of proteins with a high molecular weight is weaker. Therefore, progesterone is proved to allow a better conservation of erythrocyte membrane proteins. As a conclurion, the results of these works show a positive action of progesterone on the erythrocyte membrane during blood conservation.