The Effect of Ascorbate and Dihydroxyacetone on the 2,3‐Diphosphoglycerate and ATP Levels of Stored Human Red Cells

Abstract

Fifty ml aliquots of blood were stored in modified CPD‐adenine preservative solutions at pH 4.8, 5.6, and 7.0 containing either dihydroxyacetone alone, ascorbic acid alone, or a combination of both. Red blood cell ATP and 2,3‐DPG determinations showed that the effect of dihydroxyacetone and ascorbic acid were synergistic at all pH levels, and that even at the lowest pH levels excellent 23‐DPG maintenance was observed. A reciprocal relationship existed between 2,3‐DPG and ATP maintenance. Studies in 500 ml units of blood containing both dihydroxyacetone and ascorbate gave similar results to those in 50 ml aliquots. There was excellent maintenance of 2,3‐DPG levels throughout the 28‐day storage period.