Some correlations between light transmission changes and some commonly used in vitro assays for the assessment of...

This study aims to relate the duration of light transmission changes (LTCs) through platelet concentrates (PCs) to the results of a panel analytical procedures, many of which have correlated with platelet in vivo viability. LTCs of 16 PCs stored in P1-732 containers were studied over 10 d. On d 1, platelet counts and total PC ATP content were determined. On d 7, determination of the following parameters was carried out: pH, bicarbonate, the rate of oxygen consumption, the dispersion of the size distribution, the total platelet ATP content, the extent of shape change (ESC), the osmotic reversal reaction and extracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. In addition, the rate of lactate production was determined over storage. A second series consisting of 18 PCs stored in P1-146 containers was monitored over 7 d. Mean platelet volume (MPV) was determined on d 3 and 7 and ESC was analysed on d 3. LTCs correlated significantly with pH, bicarbonate, the rate of oxygen consumption, increased platelet size distribution and decreased ESC. In addition, significant correlations were found when comparing LTCs with MPV(s). This study demonstrates that LTCs are closely related to parameters reflecting platelet metabolism.