Influence of Oxidative Stress on Stored Platelets.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Science
• Hematology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Platelet transfusion availability is limited by a short 5-6 day shelf-life.
• Oxidative stress (OS) is implicated in reduced platelet efficacy and storage duration.
• The precise impact of OS on platelets during storage remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of prolonged storage on platelet oxidative stress.
• To identify specific OS markers and their changes during platelet storage.
• To establish a timeline for when OS significantly affects platelet viability.

Main Methods:

• Platelets were stored at 22°C for 12 days.
• Assessed markers included aggregation, superoxides, reactive oxygen species, glucose, pH, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and antioxidant enzymes.
• Evaluated changes in OS markers over the storage period.

Main Results:

• Oxidative stress markers increased during storage, evidenced by higher aggregation, superoxides, pH, conjugate dienes, and superoxide dismutase.
• Platelet glucose levels and catalase activity decreased over storage.
• Significant increases in OS and potential efficacy decline were observed from day 8 onwards, despite initial antioxidant defenses up to day 6.

Conclusions:

• Platelets possess an antioxidant defense system enabling them to withstand oxidative stress for approximately 6 days during storage.
• Elevated oxidative stress from day 8 onwards compromises platelet efficacy.
• Findings support exploring antioxidants as additives to enhance platelet storage solutions and extend shelf-life.