Storage of buffy coat–derived platelets in additive solutions: in vitro effects of storage at 4°C

Abstract

PLTs stored at 4 degrees C without agitation maintain metabolic and cellular characteristics to a great extent during 21 days of storage. These studies confirm the view that PLTs lose their discoid shape and that this loss with storage at 4 degrees C is associated with reductions in metabolic rate and in their release of alpha-granule content.

L-carnitine effectively improves the metabolism and quality of platelet concentrates during storage

“…Platelet concentrate (PC) is recently stored for a maximum of 5-7 days due to the risk of bacterial growth [2]. Many factors influence the quality of platelets during storage including the preparation method [3], the material of the storage bag [4], the bag ability to gas exchange [3], and the storage temperature [5,3]. During storage, platelets undergo numerous changes due to lactate accumulation and a decrease in pH [6].…”

Platelet Storage Temperature – How Low Can We Go?

“…Some investigators have reported the presence of increased platelet activation markers such as exposure of surface P-selectin [11,37,38] following refrigeration, indicating that platelet refrigeration can induce some α-granule release. However, other investigators have reported the opposite, that refrigeration (< 21 days) retards the release of α-granule contents such as β-thromboglobulin [12,39,40]. Refrigerated platelets spontaneously form aggregates [41,42], respond better to agonists than room temperature platelets [11,[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51], and adhere better to von Willebrand factor (vWf) under shear stress [52,53].…”

“…It measures the ability of platelets to recover from a hypotonic challenge with the notion that only 'metabolically fit' platelets recover. Since refrigerated platelets perform poorly in this assay [12], investigators have proposed that refrigeration impairs platelet adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production [58,59]. It has also been reported that exposure of platelets to low temperatures can induce mitochondrial damage [60,61] providing a mechanism for altered ATP metabolism.…”

“…Accumulation of lactate from platelet metabolism decreases the pH of concentrates, and pH levels below 6.0 are associated with loss of platelet viability. Platelet refrigeration greatly reduces lactate production [11,12]. Platelets also slowly become activated when stored at room temperature for prolonged times [36].…”

“…Furthermore, platelet additive solutions (PAS) may prove beneficial in better preserving platelet properties during 5-and possibly 7-day storage [6][7][8][9]. Platelet refrigeration can dramatically reduce the risk of bacterial growth [10] and preserve platelet function [11,12], thereby permitting extended storage of platelets and bolstering product inventories. However, almost 40 years ago, Murphy and Gardner [13] demonstrated that refrigerated, transfused human platelets are rapidly cleared from the circulation, showing that platelets stored at room temperature (22°C) circulated significantly longer with a typical life span of 7-9 days versus 2-4 days for refrigerated platelets.…”