The addition of adenosine to stored blood results in a chemical restoration of deteriorated erythrocytes and sustains their viability during continued storage (1,2). This phenomenon has been referred to as the in vitro reversibility of a biochemical lesion of storage. Apart from the implications of this reaction in red cell metabolism (3), it seemed of importance to evaluate the effect of adenosine in the preservation of blood. The present study indicates that adenosine and some related purine nucleosides retard the onset of the storage lesion and extend significantly the period of viability of stored blood. The effective concentration of these supplements, as well as their potential toxicity, is discussed.
METHODSThe techniques for the measurements of erythrocyte phosphate partition, blood glucose, sodium and potassium, osmotic fragility, and aerobic utilization of glucose have been described (1,4