Effect of leukoreduction on the metabolism of equine packed red blood cells during refrigerated storage.
Authors: Miglio Arianna, Rocconi Francesca, Cremonini Valentina, D'Alessandro Angelo, Reisz Julie A, Maslanka Mark, Lacroix Ian S, Tiscar Giorgio, Di Tommaso Morena, Antognoni Maria T
Journal: Journal of veterinary internal medicine
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Leukoreduction and Equine Packed Red Cell Storage Refrigerated storage of equine packed red blood cells (pRBC) causes progressive metabolic deterioration, but the specific biochemical mechanisms—and whether leukoreduction mitigates this damage—remain poorly understood. Researchers from two equine blood banks collected whole blood from six donor horses, producing both leukoreduced (LR-pRBC) and non-leukoreduced (nLR-pRBC) units stored at 4°C for up to 42 days, with weekly sterile sampling for metabolic and lipid profiling. Both cell types showed expected storage lesion patterns: declining high-energy phosphate compounds (ATP and 2,3-DPG), progressive lactate accumulation, and buildup of purine metabolites (hypoxanthine and xanthine) and free fatty acids—but crucially, these changes were significantly more pronounced in non-leukoreduced units. The findings demonstrate that leukoreduction meaningfully preserves red cell energy metabolism and redox balance during storage, reducing the severity of metabolic storage lesions that compromise transfusion efficacy. For equine practitioners utilising blood transfusion, this work provides evidence that leukoreduced products maintain better functional quality throughout the standard 42-day storage window, potentially improving clinical outcomes in recipients, particularly in compromised or critically ill patients where cell viability is most critical.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •For equine blood banks: use leukoreduction filters during collection to preserve RBC quality and extend safe storage duration
- •Leukoreduced equine packed RBCs show better metabolic preservation during 42-day refrigerated storage, potentially improving transfusion outcomes
- •Non-leukoreduced equine blood accumulates more metabolic waste products during storage, suggesting preferential use of leukoreduced units for clinical transfusions
Key Findings
- •Leukoreduction significantly reduced accumulation of lactate and metabolic byproducts in stored equine RBCs over 42 days
- •High-energy phosphate compounds (ATP and 2,3-DPG) declined progressively in both leukoreduced and non-leukoreduced units, with exacerbated decline in non-leukoreduced samples
- •Hypoxanthine, xanthine, and free fatty acids accumulated in stored RBCs and supernatants, with greater accumulation in non-leukoreduced blood
- •Leukoreduction demonstrated protective effects on RBC energy metabolism and redox status, mitigating storage lesions