Higher ATP level and reduced glucose consumption of red cells stored in PVC bags compared to glass bottles.

Whole blood stored for 21 days at +4 degrees C in glass bottles showed a decrease in plasma glucose content of 6.6 mM/l, while blood stored in polyvinylchloride bags had a decrease of only 5.3 mM/l. At the same time, red cell ATP was reduced to 69% in bottles compared to 80% in bags (statistically proved differences). The higher red cell ATP level may explain the increased stability of red cells stored in DEHP-plasticized blood bags. The reduction in glucose consumption suggested that the decrease of red cell ATP and plasma glucose content may be a result of some unidentified inhibitory effects of DEHP on biochemical processes.