Irradiation dose-dependent oxidative changes in red blood cells for transfusion

AbstractPurpose: To investigate the extent of γ-irradiation-induced oxidative protein and lipid damage in long-term (up to 21 days) cold stored (4°C) erythrocytes (RBC) and in plasma from whole blood anticoagulated with acid-citrate-dextrose (ACD-A).Materials and methods: Lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl group (CO) and thiol levels were quantified by the amount of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and with Ellman reagent, respectively.Results: Irradiation (40–50 Gy) enhanced lipid peroxidation in the RBC membrane (at day 1 and after 21 storage days); the increase was storage time-dependent. In pre-irradiated (30–50 Gy) and long-term stored RBC membrane protein CO level was higher vs. non-irradiated. Irradiation resulted in RBC membrane protein thiol level elevation, most likely being a result of conformational changes and/or the polypeptide chain fragmentation. Similar to RBC, irradiation of plasma resulted in the increased TBARS generation. In ...