Leukoreduced, deglycerolized RBCs can be stored for 48 hours in SAGM. Improved ATP levels during refrigerated storage can be observed with thawed cells, resuspended in AS-3, when PBS is used as a washing solution.

The complete absence of DEHP in the collection system had no effect on WB composition, processing, or plasma and PLT quality. During storage in SAG-M, the absence of DEHP resulted in increased hemolysis. With alternative ASs like PAGGS-M, AS-3, or PAGGG-M, the absence of DEHP had no effect on hemolysis. Leakage of DINCH into the blood product was less pronounced than that of DEHP.

This study shows that, although PS exposure remains low, prolonged storage does compromise the RBC membrane by affecting flippase activity. When the metabolic changes induced by storage are corrected, flippase activity can be restored.

To describe the action mechanisms of Bacteriochlorin a (BCA), a second generation photosensitizer, in phosphate buffer (PB) and in dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) liposomes we carried out oxygen consumption and ESR measurements. In PB, where BCA was in a monomer-dimer equilibrium, our results suggested that the oxygen consumption was related to the BCA monomers concentration in solution. Incorporation of BCA in DMPC liposomes, by promoting the monomerization of BCA, increased 9-fold the oxygen consumption in comparison to the value in PB. The use of specific singlet oxygen quenchers (Azide and 9, 10-Anthracenedipropionic acid) in ESR and oxygen consumption experiments allowed us to assert that BCA was mainly a type II sensitizer when it was incorporated in DMPC. Finally, the cell survival of WiDr cells after a PDT treatment was measured for cells incubated with BCA in cell culture medium and cells incubated with BCA in DMPC. Irrespective of the dye concentration, the cell survival was lower when liposomes were used. This effect could be the result of a better BCA monomerization and / or a different BCA uptake in cells.

Cryopreserved (frozen) red blood cells have been used in transfusion medicine since the Vietnam war. The main method to freeze the red blood cells is by usage of glycerol. Although the usage of cryopreserved red blood cells was promising due to the prolonged storage time and the limited cellular deterioration at subzero temperatures, its usage have been hampered due to the more complex and labour intensive procedure and the limited shelf life of thawed products. Since the FDA approval of a closed (de) glycerolization procedure in 2002, allowing a prolonged postthaw storage of red blood cells up to 21 days at 2-6°C, cryopreserved red blood cells have become a more utilized blood product. Currently, cryopreserved red blood cells are mainly used in military operations and to stock red blood cells with rare phenotypes. Yet, cryopreserved red blood cells could also be useful to replenish temporary blood shortages, to prolong storage time before autologous transfusion and for IgA-deficient patients. This review describes the main methods to cryopreserve red blood cells, explores the quality of this blood product and highlights clinical settings in which cryopreserved red blood cells are or could be utilized.