Changes in the red blood cell enzyme, carbonic anhydrase, following blood transfusion.

Abstract

Changes in RCA activity following Blood Transfusion has not been previously reported. The hormones thyroid, parathyroid and aldosterone which are present in blood, have been reported to affect RCA activity, though their effects in transfused blood have not as yet been reported on. The RCA concentration and activity of red blood cells was measured in vitro in artificially prepared blood samples, to mimic a transfusion. Blood samples from normal children and adults were studied. The following 4 compounded groups were prepared: Group A -child blood; Group B -child red blood cells and adult plasma; Group C -adult blood; Group Dadult red blood cells and child plasma. The compounded blood samples were tonometried with gases as present in alveolar air during incubated at 37°C for 1 hour. The RCA concentration and activity, electrolytes, Zn and 2, 3-DPG in the haemolysate prepared of each of the above 4 sample groups were measured. Also T3, T4 and aldosterone were estimated from the plasma samples of each of the 4 above mentioned groups. It was observed that child plasma inhibited the RCA activity of adult red blood cells and vice versa. Tl e results obtained suggest that the changes in RCA activity of recipient red blood cells are possibly related to the hormones thyroid, parathyroid and aldosterone present in the donor's plasma. The changes in RCA activity in recipient red blood cells following `blood transfusion' are recognized and described as a new finding.