Banking-related decline of erythrocyte N-acetyl-neuraminic acid and phospholipids.

: The alterations of some membrane components of the red blood cells were investigated on the day of drawing and after storage for 42 days. During banking the erythrocyte membrane looses N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (NANA), phospholipids and double bonds. A sex-related dependence of these changes is assumed. The losses could be related to (i) sequestration of limited membrane area (vesiculation) and (ii) to molecular changes of the membrane influenced by peroxidative events as well as by endogenous and exogenous hydrolases.