Leucocyte-derived bioactive substances in fresh frozen plasma

Area of Science:

• Transfusion Medicine
• Immunology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Bioactive substances in fresh frozen plasma (FFP) are implicated in transfusion-related adverse reactions, especially in critically ill patients.
• Septic or traumatized patients may be particularly vulnerable to these reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify bioactive substances (histamine, eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil protein X, myeloperoxidase, IL-6) in thawed FFP.
• To assess the impact of pre-storage leucocyte filtration on these substance concentrations.
• To compare FFP bioactive substance levels with healthy donor plasma.

Main Methods:

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) were used for quantification.
• Concentrations were measured in thawed FFP, donor plasma, and FFP subjected to leucocyte filtration.
• Samples were sterile filtered before analysis.

Main Results:

• Thawed FFP showed significantly higher concentrations of histamine, eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil protein X, and myeloperoxidase compared to donor plasma.
• Pre-storage leucocyte filtration reduced these bioactive substance levels to concentrations similar to donor plasma.
• Histamine, eosinophil cationic protein, and myeloperoxidase levels increased after freezing and thawing compared to pre-freezing levels.

Conclusions:

• Conventional FFP preparation yields leucocyte-derived bioactive substances that may cause adverse reactions.
• Pre-storage leucocyte filtration is an effective strategy to reduce these bioactive substances in FFP.
• Leucocyte filtration can improve the safety profile of FFP for transfusion.