Method for extending the useful shelf-life of refrigerated red blood cells by nutrient supplementation

Abstract

There is provided methods and compositions for the storage of red blood cells. The compositions are metabolic supplements which are preferably added to refrigerated red blood cells suspended in an additive solution. Red blood cells are preferably stored under conditions of oxygen-depletion. Metabolic compositions comprises pyruvate, inosine, adenine, and optionally dibasic sodium phosphate and/or monobasic sodium phosphate.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for the storage of red blood cells comprising: 
 adding a metabolic supplement at least once to red blood cells; and    storing said red blood cell under refrigeration.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said red blood cells are packed red blood cells or suspended red blood cells in an additive solution.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said red blood cells are refrigerated at the time the metabolic supplement is added.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising first adding an additive solution to said red blood cells forming a suspension of red blood cells.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein said additive solution is selected from the group consisting of AS-3, EAS61, OFAS1, OFAS3, and mixture thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising storing said red blood cells under oxygen-depleted refrigeration.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 2 , further comprising mixing whole blood with an anticoagulant solution, concentrating the whole blood cells from said whole blood and separating the plasma thereby creating a mass of packed red blood cells.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said metabolic supplement comprises pyruvate, inosine, adenine and optionally dibasic sodium phosphate and/or monobasic sodium phosphate.  
     
     
         9 . A method for extending the storage life of refrigerated packed red blood cells which comprises adding a metabolic supplement to said refrigerated packed red blood cells.  
     
     
         10 . A method for extending the storage life of refrigerated red blood cells comprising: 
 adding a first solution to packed red blood cells;    storing said red blood cells in oxygen-depleted refrigeration; and    adding a second solution to said red blood cells.    
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said first solution is an additive solution.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said additive solution is selected from the group consisting of AS-3, EAS61, OFAS1, and OFAS3.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said second solution is a metabolic supplement.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said metabolic supplement comprises pyruvate, inosine, adenine and optionally dibasic sodium phosphate and/or monobasic sodium phosphate.