Background: Storage of blood affects all blood components. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are considered the main culprits of the storage lesion. Their prestorage removal improves the quality of blood components. Therefore, they are considered of no use in blood transfusion. However, their reduction may remove important antibacterial defense mechanisms. Methods: The phagocytic activity of PMNs in whole blood was therefore determined together with additional, sequential changes of granula-specific and cytosolic constituents which they release. Blood from 12 volunteer donors was analyzed for plasma Na+ and K+, pH, LDH, lysozyme, PMN elastase, leukocytes, neutrophils, and neutro-phil phagocytosis with Phagotest®. Results: Leukocytes decreased from (5.0 ± 1.4) ×103 to (3.3 ± 1.3) ×103 cells/µl (mean ± SD), most of them being PMNs. Their phagocytic capacity when rewarmed did not change significantly during the first 24 h of storage, after 3 days it came to a halt. At the same time an increasing fall in plasma sodium and pH became apparent, while plasma potassium, LDH, lysozyme, and elastase all rose by 427 %, 235 %, 87 % respectively 1,479% at day 11. Together with these marker enzymes an armamentarium of antibiotic proteins, other proteolytic enzymes, and immunoregulatory molecules is released. Conclusion: At present, it seems that the bactericidal activity in blood, due to the removal of phagocytic PMNs, does not outweigh the clinical benefits of an improved component preparation where storage lesions are minimized and a number of transfusion-associated adverse reactions are avoided.

Keywords:
Polymorphonuclear neutrophils, Phagocytosis, Flow cytometry, Lysozyme, Elastase
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1995 S. Karger AG, Basel
1995
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.