Inclusion of nicotinic acid in the CPDA solution has a beneficial effect in that (1) it reduces plasma Hb and K+; (2) reduces lipid peroxidation and increases antioxidant protection; (3) maintains pH nearer to 7.0, and (4) decreases the leaching out of DEHP into the blood.

DEHP even at very low doses caused a decrease in the concentration of vitamin E in liver and tests of rats given this substance. Blood stored in DEHP-plasticized bags also showed a decrease in the concentration of vitamin E.

Background and Objectives: There is increase in lipid peroxidation with consequent increase in hemolysis when blood is stored in di–(2–ethyl hexyl)phthalate (DEHP) plasticized bags. Studies carried out by us and others have indicated the ability of red cells to synthesize NAD⁺ from added nicotinic acid. Apart from the role of NAD⁺ in glycolysis, NADPH is required for reduction of oxidized glutathione to its reduced form by glutathione reductase. Reduced glutathione is an important antioxidant, which protects cell membrane from oxidative damage. Reduced glutathione is also involved in the regeneration of vitamin E, another important membrane antioxidant. In view of these, a study was undertaken to find out the effect of addition of nicotinic acid to the citrate–phosphate–dextrose–adenine (CPDA) solution on lipid peroxidation and integrity of red cells when whole blood is stored in DEHP plasticized bags. Materials and Methods: Blood was collected in Penpol blood storage bags (which is a DEHP plasticized bag) in CPDA solution in the presence and absence of nicotinic acid. Various parameters of lipid peroxidation and membrane stability – level of malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes, vitamin E, reduced glutathione, plasma Hb and K⁺, levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and 2,3–diphosphoglycerate (2,3–DPG) were studied in the blood samples after various periods. Results: Plasma Hb and K⁺ concentrations were significantly lower in the presence of added nicotinic acid both after 28 and 42 days. Concentration of MDA and conjugated dienes was lower and the levels of reduced glutathione and vitamin E higher in the presence of nicotinic acid. ATP levels were not significantly different, but 2,3–DPG levels were higher. pH of the blood was nearer to 7.0 in the presence of nicotinic acid, while leaching out of DEHP into the blood was significantly lower. Conclusion: Inclusion of nicotinic acid in the CPDA solution has a beneficial effect in that (1) it reduces plasma Hb and K⁺; (2) reduces lipid peroxidation and increases antioxidant protection; (3) maintains pH nearer to 7.0, and (4) decreases the leaching out of DEHP into the blood.

Background and Objectives: Previous work in this laboratory has shown significant decrease in vitamin E in erythrocytes in blood stored in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags plasticized with di-[2-ethyl hexyl] phthalate (DEHP), and in erythrocytes incubated in vitro with DEHP. Since vitamin E is a major antioxidant, a study was carried out to find out whether this decrease observed in vitamin E has an effect on lipid peroxidation in blood stored in DEHP-plasticized PVC blood bags. Materials and Methods: Blood was collected in Penpol blood storage bags (which is a DEHP-plasticized PVC bag) and parameters of lipid peroxidation, i.e. activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes, hydroperoxides, glutathione and vitamin E studied in erythrocytes after various periods of storage as compared to glass bottles. Erythrocytes were also incubated in vitro with DEHP with and without vitamin E, and changes in lipid peroxidation studied. Results: Blood stored in Penpol bags showed increased lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes as compared to that stored in glass bottles, as is evident from a greater increase in MDA and a greater decrease in glutathione and a significant decrease in vitamin E. The addition of vitamin E decreased the formation of MDA and conjugated dienes and prevented the decrease in vitamin E. However in spite of increased lipid peroxidation in the presence of DEHP, the release of K⁺ and hemoglobin from erythrocytes was lower. When there was an increase in DEHP taken up by erythrocytes, there was a corresponding decrease in vitamin E. More important, whenever there was an increase in vitamin E in erythrocytes (when RBCs in the presence of DEHP were incubated with vitamin E), there was a progressive decrease in DEHP. Conclusion: DEHP caused increased lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes. At the same time, it decreased the release of K⁺ and hemoglobin from erythrocytes. It is possible that the stabilizing effect of DEHP on the erythrocyte membrane may offset the detrimental effects of the increased lipid peroxidation it causes.

Background and Objectives: Significant amounts of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthlate (DEHP) leach into blood stored in DEHP-plasticized PVC bags. The aim of this study was to find out whether DEHP at these low levels has any effect on the concentration of vitamin E, an antioxidant which affords protection against free radical damage. Materials and Methods: DEHP was administered in low doses (150–750 μg/100 g body weight) to rats intraperitoneally and the concentration of vitamin E in the liver and testes was measured. Concentration of vitamin E was also measured in blood stored in glass bottles in the presence and absence of DEHP and in blood stored in DEHP-plasticized PVC bags. Results: A decrease in the concentration of vitamin E was observed in all cases. Administration of vitamin E to rats and incorporation of vitamin E in the additive solution in the case of blood prevented this decrease. Conclusion: DEHP even at very low doses caused a decrease in the concentration of vitamin E in liver and tests of rats given this substance. Blood stored in DEHP-plasticized bags also showed a decrease in the concentration of vitamin E.