Both C5a and TNFalpha generation in apheresis PCs seem to induce white cell IL-8 production, which mediates cellular LTB4 release. Prestorage white cell reduction is recommended for reducing chemotactic cytokine and leukotriene levels in all PCs. Production of BC PCs is recommended to achieve less complement activation, which is not affected by filtration.

Red cell metabolism and oxygen-releasing capacity are kept at acceptable levels in 0.5CPD blood for 24 h at 20 degrees C before component separation. The concentration of red cell 2,3-BPG remained at normal or slightly subnormal levels during further storage in 0.5CPD at 4 degrees C for 2-4 weeks before gradual decay to an average of 39% at 48 days.

Background and objectives: Delay between blood collection and the separation of its components may result in lowered yield of factor VIII (FVIII) and loss of 2,3-biphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG). This study was to see whether the use of 0.5 CPD resulted in better preservation of FVIII and maintenance of 2,3-BPG. Materials and methods: 55 units of blood were collected in 0.5CPD and 48 in CPD SAG-M. Ten of the collections were paired, so that the same donors were bled in a single session partly in an 0.5CPD system and partly in CPD SAG-M. After collection, the blood was promptly cooled to 20 °C and stored at that temperature for up to 24 h. Results: Preservation of FVIII activity was significantly better in 0.5CPD compared with CPD. The content of von Willebrand factor was stable in the anticoagulant solutions for 24 h at that temperature. Plasma separated from both media had low levels of prothrombin fragment 1+ 2 and complement activation. Paired collections substantiated previous reports that red cell storage is significantly improved in 0.5CPD compared with CPD SAG-M with respect to 2,3-BPG and haemolysis. Conclusions: Red cell metabolism and oxygen-releasing capacity are kept at acceptable levels in 0.5CPD blood for 24 h at 20 °C before component separation. The concentration of red cell 2,3-BPG remained at normal or slightly subnormal levels during further storage in 0.5CPD at 4 °C for 2–4 weeks before gradual decay to an average of 39% at 48 days.