Abstract
Background Stored Red Blood Cells (RBCs) may undergo oxidative stress over time, with functional changes affecting critical tasks such as oxygen delivery. Central to these changes are oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions and the redox potential (RP) that must be maintained for proper cell function. RP imbalance can lead to oxidative stress that may contribute to storage lesions and transfusion-related morbidities. Direct measures of RP may allow for evaluation of erythrocyte quality and enable corrections of RP prior to transfusion. Methods Multiple random RBC segments were tested, ranging in age from 5 to 40 days at 5 day intervals. RP was recorded by measuring open circuit potential of RBCs using novel nanoporous gold electrodes with Ag/AgCl reference. RP measures were also performed on peripheral venous blood samples from 10 healthy volunteers. RP measures were compared between groups of aged RBCs, and with volunteer blood. Results Stored RBCs show time-dependent increases in RP. There were significant differences in Day 5 RP compared to all other groups (p≤0.005), Day 10-15 vs ages ≥ Day 20 (p≤0.025), Day 20-25 vs Day 40 (p=0.039), and all groups compared to healthy volunteers. RP became more positive over time suggesting ongoing oxidation as RBCs age. However, storage time alone does not predict the ultimate RP value measured from a given unit.Conclusions There are significant differences in RP between freshly stored RBCs and all others, with RP becoming more positive over time. However, storage time alone does not predict RP, indicating RP screening may be important independent of storage time and may serve as a marker of RBC quality and state of oxidative stress. RP measurements may also provide a target by which to restore RP balance in aged pRBCs, improving their clinical effectiveness while reducing associated morbidities.
Using Redox Potential as a Feasible Marker for Banked Blood Quality and the State of Oxidative Stress in Stored Red Blood Cells
