Effect of leukoreduction on the metabolism of equine packed red blood cells during refrigerated storage

BackgroundUnderstanding of the biochemical and morphological lesions associated with storage of equine blood is limited.ObjectiveTo demonstrate the temporal sequences of lipid and metabolic profiles of equine fresh and stored (up to 42 days) and leukoreduced packed red blood cells (LR-pRBC) and non-leukoreduced packed RBC (nLR-pRBC).AnimalsPacked RBC units were obtained from 6 healthy blood donor horses enrolled in 2 blood banks.MethodsObservational study. Whole blood was collected from each donor using transfusion bags with a LR filter. Leukoreduction pRBC and nLR-pRBC units were obtained and stored at 4 degrees C for up 42 days. Sterile weekly sampling was performed from each unit for analyses.ResultsRed blood cells and supernatants progressively accumulated lactate products while high-energy phosphate compounds (adenosine triphosphate and 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate) declined. Hypoxanthine, xanthine, and free fatty acids accumulated in stored RBC and supernatants. These lesions were exacerbated in non-LR-pRBC.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceLeukoreduction has a beneficial effect on RBC energy and redox metabolism of equine pRBC and the onset and severity of the metabolic storage lesions RBC.