Blood Transfusion Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Blood Transfusion, including details on blood donation, blood types, leukemia.

Evaluation of nonleukoreduced red blood cell transfusion units collected at delivery from the placenta.

Widing L, Bechensteen AG, Mirlashari MR, Vetlesen A, Kjeldsen-Kragh J

Departments of Pediatrics and Immunology & Transfusion Medicine, Ullevål University Hospital, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, N-0407 Oslo, Norway.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of cord blood (CB) as a source of red blood cells (RBCs) for autologous transfusion. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: CB was collected in 150-mL storage containers with citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD) as anticoagulant and stored in either saline, adenine, glucose, and mannitol (SAG-M; n = 18) or phosphate, adenine, glucose, guanosine, saline, and mannitol (PAGGS-M; n = 18) for 35 days at 4 degrees C. Hematologic status and hemolysis were studied. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 from CB monocytes was analyzed after incubation with addition of weekly sampled supernatants from the CB RBC units. Five additional units (PAGGS-M) were leukoreduced and thereafter analyzed as indicated above. RESULTS: Hemolysis increased significantly over time, in SAG-M more than in PAGGS-M. During storage in both media, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) decreased, and the LPS-induced production of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 decreased and increased, respectively. There were no significant changes in the LPS-induced production of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 in the leukoreduced CB RBC units. CONCLUSION: Hemolysis in CB RBC units increased significantly over time, and PAGGS-M appears to be superior to SAG-M as a preservation solution for CB RBC. The changes in LPS-induced TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 production over time were probably caused by substances released from apoptotic and/or necrotic WBCs. Further studies are needed to identify both which substances are responsible for the changes in LPS-induced cytokine release and the clinical significance hereof.

Published 27 July 2007 in Transfusion, 47(8): 1481-7.
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