Red blood cell storage increases hypoxia‐induced nitric oxide bioavailability and methemoglobin formation in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Storage of RBCs leads to an increased rate of hypoxia-induced nitrite reduction to NO and this is associated with increased methemoglobin formation. The increased methemoglobin formation and consequent decrease in oxygen delivery capacity might contribute to the storage-related impairment of aged RBCs to oxygenate the microcirculation.