Characteristics of polylipid/Hb vesicles (ARC) (in vitro and in vivo test)

Polylipid/Hb vesicle, which is polymerized phospholipid vesicles (200 nm) encapsulating concentrated Hb solution, has been established by us as an artificial red cell (ARC). ARC can be easily adjusted to physiological conditions (viscosity, density and oncotic pressure etc) as the same of human blood. Our ARC has excellent blood compatibility (no effect on coagulation, no hemolysis and no red cell aggregation). Neither acute toxicity nor damage of internal organs was confirmed. Oxygen transporting capacity was almost the same as human blood, and the half life in blood stream was ca. 13 hrs.