Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
Published on: April 11, 2014
Ascorbic acid improves membrane fragility and decreases haemolysis during red blood cell storage
J S Raval1, J Fontes, U Banerjee
1Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Background:
Changes that occur to red blood cells (RBCs) during routine blood bank storage include decreased deformability, increased haemolysis and oxidative damage. Oxidative injury to the RBC membrane and haemoglobin can affect changes in shape and deformability. Ascorbic acid (AA) is an antioxidant that maintains haemoglobin in a reduced state and minimises RBC oxidative injury. We hypothesised that AA would improve membrane fragility and decrease haemolysis during storage.
Methods:
Whole blood derived, AS-5 preserved, pre-storage leucoreduced RBC units were exposed to either AA or saline control solutions. Several rheological and biochemical parameters were measured serially during storage, including RBC membrane mechanical fragility, percent haemolysis and methaemoglobin levels.
Results:
AA exposure significantly reduced mechanical fragility and haemolysis over the entire storage period. The highest two concentrations of AA affected the greatest reductions in mechanical fragility and percent haemolysis. Addition of AA to the RBCs did not significantly alter their biochemical parameters compared to control RBCs incubated with saline.
Conclusion:
AA reduced RBC membrane fragility and decreased haemolysis during storage without adversely affecting other RBC biochemical parameters. The clinical significance of these findings needs to be determined.
Related Concept Videos
Antifungal Agents
Lifecycle of Erythrocytes
The resident phagocytic macrophages deal with these damaged cells by engulfing them and separating their globin and heme groups.
Polyprotic Acids
Disorders 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...
Hemoglobin
When all four heme groups are bound to oxygen, the resulting molecule is called oxyhemoglobin. As a result, arterial blood...
Sulfur Assimilation

