Lipid peroxidation in platelet concentrates: effects of irradiation and metal chelators

Increased red cell lipid peroxidation (LP) occurs in the presence of ionized iron, as well as with various heme moieties and other transition metal ions. In stored erythrocytes, the degree of LP, as determined by plasma malondialdehyde measurements, can be significantly reduced by the addition of various metal chelating agents. The current study also showed significant reductions in LP in platelet concentrates, compared with controls, following the addition of the metal chelators ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA; P < 0.001), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA; P < 0.001), and deferoxamine mesylate (DM; P < 0.01). In addition, compared with non-irradiated controls, increased LP was noted following the irradiation of platelet concentrates (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the addition of various metal binding chelators may be effective in increasing the viability and longevity of stored platelet concentrates.