Preservation of resuspended red cell concentrates. Rate of vesiculation and of spontaneous hemolysis.

: In resuspended red cell concentrates addition of sucrose, mannitol and sorbitol (30 mM final concentration each) to the SAG medium (150 mM NaCl, 50 mM glucose, 1.25 mM adenine) results in a significant reduction of the spontaneous hemolysis of the cells to about 25% after 3 weeks and to about 40% after 6 weeks preservation. Furthermore, in comparison to the SAG medium the vesiculation rate is reduced to about 40% after 3 weeks preservation. Clear cut differences in the effects between the three additives could not be found. The addition of guanosine (1.25 mM final concentration) to the SAG-sucrose or SAG-sorbitol medium has no significant effects on hemolysis and vesiculation.