Elimination of pyridoxylated polyhemoglobin after partial exchange transfusion in chimpanzees

Partial exchange transfusion with 8.5% pyridoxylated polyhemoglobin solution [PolyHb-PPa] was performed in five male chimpanzees weighing 22-30 kg. Serial blood and urine samples were obtained for 3 days. Percutaneous liver biopsies were performed on the 3rd to 4th, and the 9th to 11th days after PolyHb-PPa administration. Mean exchange volume was 42.5 +/- 10.7 ml/kg BW (26.8-54.6 ml/kg), mean Hb dose 3.7 +/- 0.9 g PolyHb-PPa/kg BW (2.4-4.8 g/kg), mean exchange rate 56.7 +/- 7.1% (48.2-67.4%). All animals survived long-term. Analysis of the plasma Hb concentration-time data showed a first order decline at a plasma level of 3.7 +/- 0.9 g PolyHb-PPa/kg BW. Mean intravascular half-life was 14.6 +/- 3.2 h. Total renal elimination of PolyHb-PPa was about 7%. PolyHb-PPa was absorbed and stored by Kupffer cells and transformed into hemosiderin. Siderosis of Kupffer cells and renal tubules had largely subsided 10 days after PolyHb-PPa indicating subsequent in vivo degradation and metabolization of the polymerized Hb fractions.