l-carnitine as a Potential Additive in Blood Storage Solutions: A Study on Erythrocytes

Abstract

Erythrocytes undergo various changes during storage (storage lesion) that in turn reduces their functioning and survival. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the storage lesion and antioxidants can be used to combat this stress. This study elucidates the effects of L-carnitine (LC) on erythrocytes of stored blood. Blood was obtained from male Wistar rats and stored (4°C) for 20 days in CPDA-1 (citrate phosphate dextrose adenine) solution. Samples were divided into-(i) controls (ii) LC 10 (L-carnitine at a concentration of 10 mM) (iii) LC 30 (L-carnitine at a concentration of 30 mM) and (iv) LC 60 (L-carnitine at a concentration of 60 mM). Every fifth day, the biomarkers (haemoglobin, hemolysis, antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation products) were analysed in erythrocytes. Hemoglobin and protein sulfhydryls were insignificant during storage indicative of the maintenance of hemoglobin and sulfhydryls in all groups. Superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde levels increased initially and decreased towards the end of storage. The levels of catalase and glutathione peroxidase were lower in experimentals than controls during storage. L-carnitine assisted the enzymes by scavenging the reactive oxygen species produced. Hemolysis increased in all groups with storage, elucidating that L-carnitine could not completely protect lipids and proteins from oxidative stress. Hence, this study opens up new avenues of using L-carnitine as a component of storage solutions with combinations of antioxidants in order to maintain efficacy of erythrocytes.

Effects of L‐carnitine on the erythrocytes of stored human blood

“…Blood samples obtained were grouped into controls – LC 10, LC 30 and LC 60 – and stored in CPD‐A solution at 4 °C for 55 days as depicted in Table . The experimental concentrations were chosen on the basis of literature review (Arduini et al ., ; Sweeney & Arduini, ; Arduini et al ., ) and our prior studies on ROS (Soumya & Vani, ) and rat blood (Soumya et al ., ).…”

“…The experimental concentrations were chosen on the basis of literature review 10,12,13 and our prior studies on ROS 16 and rat blood. 14…”

“…The effects of LC on stored erythrocytes, with a focus on adenosine triphosphate, haemolysis and post‐transfusion viability, have been explored (Arduini et al ., ; Sweeney & Arduini, ; Arduini et al ., ). The effects of LC on storage‐induced oxidative stress in rat erythrocytes during whole blood storage was elucidated in our previous study (Soumya et al ., ). The earlier work was carried forward for experimentation in human blood as (i) LC proved effective in ameliorating oxidative stress during storage, and (ii) the storage lesion in 1‐week‐old rat erythrocytes was similar to 4 weeks of storage of human erythrocytes (d'Almeida et al ., ).…”

“…10,12,13 The effects of LC on storage-induced oxidative stress in rat erythrocytes during whole blood storage was elucidated in our previous study. 14 The earlier work was carried forward for experimentation in human blood as (a) LC proved effective in ameliorating oxidative stress during storage, and (b) the storage lesion in 1-week-old rat erythrocytes was similar to 4 weeks of storage of human erythrocytes. 15 Hence, in this study, we assessed the role of LC as a component of human blood storage solution.…”

Influence of L-carnitine on Stored Rat Blood: A study on Plasma

“…Various studies have reported on the effects of L-carnitine on other blood components (erythrocytes and platelets) [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Although there are reports on plasma storage [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], very few have focused on plasma isolated from stored blood.…”