The results suggest that chilling of renal epithelial cells induces ROS generation by NADPH oxidase, which leads to rapid activation of the MEK-ERK1/2 cascade and initiation of cell injury. This can be prevented by antioxidants.

The relatively low bicarbonate level in PC medium promotes iron displacement by citrate from plasma-derived transferrin. The appearance of NTBI can be decreased and iron-dependent bacterial growth can be inhibited by increasing bicarbonate level in citrated plasma and PC medium. To achieve the same beneficial effect in blood banking, other more practical ways to bind NTBI in a harmless form should be developed.