Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
11:31
Antigens Protected Functional Red Blood Cells By The Membrane Grafting Of Compact Hyperbranched Polyglycerols
Published on: January 2, 2013
Buffering and dilution in red blood cell storage
1Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. jhess@umm.edu
Transfusion
|January 10, 2006
Summary
Storing red blood cells (RBCs) in buffered additive solutions (ASs) with increased volume enhances ATP levels and reduces hemolysis. This method allows for extended RBC storage up to 8 weeks, improving cell quality.
Area of Science:
- Blood banking and transfusion medicine
- Biochemistry of red blood cells
- Biomaterials science
Background:
- Red blood cell (RBC) storage requires maintaining a specific pH range (7.2-6.4) to support ATP production.
- Buffering or dilution of RBC storage solutions can enhance ATP levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of different additive solutions (ASs) on RBC storage quality.
- To determine the feasibility of extending RBC storage duration using modified ASs.
Main Methods:
- Packed RBCs were stored in four ASs (AS-3, EAS-61, EAS-78, EAS-81), with EAS-78 and -81 containing bicarbonate.
- Biochemical measures were taken weekly for 10 weeks.
- In vivo recovery and hemolysis were assessed for RBCs stored in EAS-81 for 6 or 8 weeks.
Main Results:
- Higher RBC ATP concentrations were observed in RBCs stored in higher-volume or buffered ASs, with an additive effect.
- Dilute ASs reduced hemolysis, with buffering providing a lesser reduction.
- RBCs stored for 8 weeks in EAS-81 showed 87% 24-hour in vivo recovery and 0.4% hemolysis.
Conclusions:
- RBCs can be stored for 8 weeks in buffered conventional volume ASs.
- Combining buffering and increased AS volume further improves stored RBC characteristics.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:19Buffer Effectiveness
Buffer solutions do not have an unlimited capacity to keep the pH relatively constant . Instead, the ability of a buffer solution to resist changes in pH relies on the presence of appreciable amounts of its conjugate weak acid-base pair. When enough strong acid or base is added to substantially lower the concentration of either member of the buffer pair, the buffering action within the solution is compromised.
The buffer capacity is the amount of acid or base that can be added to a given volume...
The buffer capacity is the amount of acid or base that can be added to a given volume...
01:27Oxygen Transport in the Blood
Hemoglobin (Hb) is a crucial molecule in the human body, consisting of four polypeptide chains, each bound to an iron-containing heme group. This unique structure enables hemoglobin to bind to oxygen, with each molecule capable of combining with four molecules of oxygen, leading to rapid and reversible oxygen loading. When fully loaded with oxygen, it is called oxyhemoglobin, while hemoglobin that has released oxygen is called reduced hemoglobin or deoxyhemoglobin. As hemoglobin binds oxygen,...
01:20Protein Buffers in Blood Plasma and Cells
The human body utilizes protein buffer systems to maintain a stable pH. These systems capitalize on the dual role of amino acids, which can act as acids or bases by accepting or releasing hydrogen ions in response to pH changes. Protein buffer systems are particularly significant in the extracellular fluid (ECF) and intracellular fluid (ICF) of active cells, where structural and functional proteins provide substantial buffering capacity.
Certain amino acids can exist in a zwitterion state at a...
Certain amino acids can exist in a zwitterion state at a...