Leakage of potassium from red blood cells following gamma ray irradiation in the presence of dipyridamole, trolox, human plasma or mannitol.

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is a fatal complication of blood transfusion resulting from the contamination of blood products by leukocytes. In order to prevent this disease, gamma or X-ray irradiation of blood components,which can inactivate leukocytes, is currently used. However, the minimal doses needed to destroy lymphocytes promote the leakage of potassium from red blood cells (RBCs), which can induce other side effects, such as hyperpotassemia and cardiac arrest. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the irradiation of aqueous solutions may accelerate the leakage through oxidation of the RBC membrane. Here we studied the effect of dipyridamole, Trolox, human plasma or mannitol on the leakage of potassium from RBCs following irradiation. RBC preparations (hematocrit; 30%) containing antioxidants were irradiated at 30 Gy and stored at 4 degrees C for 7 d. The leakage of potassium from the RBCs caused by the irradiation was significantly suppressed by dipyridamole (more than 50 microM), Trolox (more than 5 mM) or human plasma (50%). Mannitol (80 mM) is used to inhibit hemolysis as a constituent of MAP solution, which is a solution used for the storage of RBC products in Japan. Here it was clarified that the leakage of potassium from not only irradiated but also non-irradiated RBCs was unexpectedly promoted by mannitol. The amount of mannitol in MAP solution may have to be reconsidered. The osmotic pressure of the RBC preparation increased in a manner dependent on the concentration of mannitol. The elevated osmotic pressure may promote the leakage. In conclusion, although antioxidants have the potential to suppress the leakage of potassium ascribed to the irradiation, the extent of the suppression (10-20%) by dipyridamole (DPM), Trolox or human plasma seems insufficient for the clinical use of these agents as an additive for MAP solution.