The effect of gamma radiation on the lipid profile of irradiated red blood cells

Abstract

An investigation into the effects of irradiation and ofthe storage timeonaging and quality are a relevantissue to ensure the safety and the efficiency of irradiation in the prevention of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD). In this work, the biochemical properties and alterations presented by erythrocyte membranes, up to 28days post-irradiation, with a dose of 25 Gy, were studied as a function of storage and post-irradiation time. There was a considerable variation in the total of phospholipid content, when comparing the control and irradiated samples, mostly from the third day onwards; and at the same time, the effect occurred as a function on the storage time of blood bags. The levelsoftotal cholesterol decreased 3–9 daysafter irradiation. TBARS levels were increased after irradiation and 7 days of storage, but no increment of catalase activity was observed after the irradiation. Furthermore, the protein profile was maintained throughout the irradiation and storage time, until the21stday,withthepresenceofaproteinfragmentationband of around 28 kDa on the 28th day. In conclusion, although gamma irradiation isthe main agent for thepreventionof TAGVHD, a better understanding of the physical and biochemical properties of erythrocytes are necessary to better assess their viability, and to be able to issue more secure recommendations on the shelf life of blood bags, and the safe use of the irradiated red cells therein.