Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy for the Quantitative Assessment of Acute Ionizing Radiation Induced Skin Toxicity Using a Mouse Model
Published on: May 27, 2016
Irradiation dose-dependent oxidative changes in red blood cells for transfusion
Halina Malgorzata Zbikowska1, Adam Antosik
1Department of General Biochemistry, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland. zbikow@biol.uni.lodz.pl
Gamma irradiation increases oxidative damage to lipids and proteins in stored red blood cells (RBCs) and plasma. This damage is storage time-dependent, highlighting the need for quality assessment in blood banks.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Radiation Biology
Background:
- Stored red blood cells (RBCs) are susceptible to oxidative damage.
- Gamma irradiation is used in blood banking for pathogen reduction.
- Understanding irradiation-induced damage is crucial for blood product safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess oxidative damage to lipids and proteins in cold-stored RBCs and plasma after gamma irradiation.
- To investigate the impact of storage duration (up to 21 days) on irradiation-induced damage.
- To evaluate damage in both RBC membranes and plasma components.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of lipid peroxidation using thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS).
- Measurement of protein carbonyl groups (CO) via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Assessment of protein thiol levels using Ellman reagent.
Main Results:
- Gamma irradiation (40-50 Gy) significantly increased lipid peroxidation in RBC membranes, dependent on storage time.
- Irradiation elevated protein carbonyl levels and altered thiol levels in RBC membranes.
- Plasma also showed increased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls, with reduced thiols post-irradiation.
Conclusions:
- Clinically relevant doses of gamma irradiation exacerbate oxidative damage in stored RBCs and plasma.
- Oxidative stress markers are valuable for assessing the quality of stored blood products.
- Findings support the use of oxidative markers in blood bank quality control protocols.
More Related Videos
05:16High Throughput Screening Assessment of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Generation using Dihydroethidium (DHE) Fluorescence Dye
Published on: January 19, 2024
08:16Method for the Assessment of Effects of a Range of Wavelengths and Intensities of Red/near-infrared Light Therapy on Oxidative Stress In Vitro
Published on: March 21, 2015
Related Concept Videos
01:15Blood Transfusion
Blood Transfusion Overview
A blood transfusion is a medical procedure used to replace blood lost due to injury, surgery, or to treat conditions such as anemia or cancer. During a transfusion, donor blood is...
01:24Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
02:45Blood Transfusion and Agglutination
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
01:27Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...