Hypoxanthine and xanthine in stored SAGM-blood

The concentration of xanthine and hypoxanthine was measured in 8 portions of SAGM red cell concentrates during 4 wk storage. The concentration of xanthine increased from 4.2 to 35.1 mumol/l and the concentration of hypoxanthine increased from 16.8 to 165.2 mumol/l (mean values). Previous studies have demonstrated several important effects of purine bases--among these a reduced cytotoxicity of purine antimetabolites. It is concluded that further studies are necessary to investigate the clinical role of purines in stored blood products.