PLoS ONE (Jan 2019)

Polyvinylalcohol-carbazate (PVAC) reduces red blood cell hemolysis.

  • Felix Sellberg,
  • Fanny Fredriksson,
  • Thomas Engstrand,
  • Tim Melander Bowden,
  • Bo Nilsson,
  • Jaan Hong,
  • Folke Knutson,
  • David Berglund

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0225777
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 12
p. e0225777

Abstract

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The objective of this study was to investigate whether a soluble polymer and aldehyde-scavenger, polyvinylalcohol-carbazate (PVAC), can inhibit hemolysis in the storage of red blood cells (RBC). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:The effect of PVAC was assessed over a wide range of concentrations, using absorption spectroscopy to evaluate the level of hemolysis. Moreover, osmotic stability and aldehyde-scavenging potential of RBC were assessed after storage in PVAC. RESULTS:After test tube storage for two weeks, red blood cell hemolysis was lower with PVAC compared to controls (mean difference 23%, 95% CI 16-29%, p < 0.001). A higher level of hemolysis led to a pronounced effect with PVAC. RBC stored in PVAC improved both the binding of free aldehydes (p <0.001) and the osmotic stability (p = 0.0036). CONCLUSION:Erythrocytes stored with PVAC showed less hemolysis, which might be explained by the ability of PVACs to stabilize the cell membrane and decrease oxidative injury.