Hypothermic Preservation of Red Blood Cells in Different Conditions of Inert Gas Xenon: Hyperbaria and Clathrates

BACKGROUND: Xenon is an inert gas promising for the preservation of biomaterials, which forms clathrate hydrates above 0°C. OBJECTIVE: This study addresses the effect of hyperbaric xenon (P = 303 kPa) and water-xenon clathrates (P ≥ 608 kPa) on 30 days preservation of red blood cells (RBCs) at +4°C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RBCs from healthy human donors were preserved under four different conditions: without preservatives (negative control), in CPDA-1, hyperbaric xenon, and xenon clathrate hydrates. RESULTS: The qualitative (mean RBC volume, anisocytosis degree and mean osmotic fragility) and quantitative characteristics (RBC count and hemolysis degree) of preserved RBCs were measured. CONCLUSION: The positive role of hyperbaric xenon in the preservation of erythrocytes is attributed to the equilibrium extraction and displacement of O2 and CO2 by xenon. The effect is presumably due to a lowering of oxygen concentration and a decrease in the production of reactive oxygen species.