University of Alberta, Canadian Blood Services, Alberta, Canada
Background/Case Studies: Red Cell Concentrates (RCCs) contain cells at different stages of their life cycle. The RBC aging process is associated with a reduction of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and an increase of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) due to water loss resulting in a lower surface-to-volume ratio and higher density in old RBCs (O-RBCs). Donor factors influence the quality characteristics of red cell concentrates (RCCs) and the lesions that develop in these heterogeneous blood products during hypothermic storage. Teenage male donors' RCCs contain elevated levels of biologically old red blood cells (RBCs). This study aims to evaluate stress-induced hemolysis of the subpopulation of “young” and “old” RBCs during hypothermic storage as a function of the blood donor age and frequency of blood donation.
Study
Design/Methods: RCCs were collected from healthy frequent (more than 3 times donation per year) teens ( < 17 years old) (n=5), non-frequent (1 donation per year) teens (n=5), frequent seniors ( >75 years old) (n=5) and non-frequent seniors (n=5). Samples were percoll-density separated into portions of less dense / recently matured (Y-RBCs) and dense/senescent (O-RBCs). The unseparated and density-separated cells (Y-RBCs and O-RBCs) were tested for hematological parameters, and stress oxidative hemolysis on days 5, 14, 21, and 42 of hypothermic storage.
Results/Findings: The Y-RBCs obtained from frequent senior donor samples, had lower mean corpuscular volumes (p = 0.008) and higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations (p = 0.01). O-RBCs from stored RCCs exhibited increased oxidative hemolysis with teenage frequent RCCs exhibiting the highest propensity to hemolysis on day 42 of storage(p=0.007). Y-RBCs from frequent seniors had the lowest oxidative hemolysis compared to other donor groups on day 5 of storage (p=0.009). Conclusions: It has been demonstrated that the biological age distribution of RBCs within RCCs is influenced by the donor's age and sex. Here, we showed that a number of factors including donation frequency contributing to low blood product quality are related to RBC biological age, especially O-RBCs. This study emphasizes that donor factors should continue to be considered for their potential impacts on transfusion outcomes. In conclusion, understanding the impact of donor behavior on RBC subpopulations is crucial for optimizing the quality and functionality of blood products.
