The calcium permeability of cold-stored erythrocytes

The calcium permeability of erythrocytes was studied by a new technique in which cells were loaded with an intracellular calcium chelator, quin 2, followed by measurement of 45Ca influx. The erythrocyte calcium permeability did not change during cold storage of blood in citrate-phosphate-dextrose for 6 weeks. Previous reports of an increased Ca2+ permeability in cold-stored erythrocytes have been based on an ATP-depletion technique which yields values for Ca2+ influx which are influenced by erythrocyte 2,3DPG levels.