Apyrase, ascorbic acid and aprotinin ameliorate the storage lesion in pelleted platelet preparations

To evaluate the effect of apyrase, ascorbic acid and aprotinin (AAA) in preventing platelet activation during storage, 12 sets of platelet concentrates (PCs), were treated with AAA and evaluated at days 1, 3, and 5 utilizing platelet functional and morphological assays. Platelets treated with AAA demonstrated significantly enhanced response to ADP-induced platelet aggregation, higher morphology scores, and evaluated ATP levels compared to control samples after 5 days of storage. Similarly, platelet specimens treated with AAA had significantly reduced PF4 secretion and P-selectin expression compared to controls. Finally, Western blots of aggregated platelets at day 5 demonstrated that AAA-treated PCs continue to express the platelet membrane GPIb whereas specimens from control PCs do not. These results show that PCs treated with AAA have reduced platelet activation and enhanced functional platelet activity.