New plasma-reduced synthetic media, Fukushima cocktails, for the storage of platelets for transfusion

Background Donor plasma proteins are associated with non-hemolytic allergic reactions, such as urticaria or laryngeal edema, in platelet-transfusion r ecipients. Replacement of plasma with synthetic media from platelet concent rates (PCs) is considered to be effective in preventing such reactions. How ever, platelets preserved in media depleted of less than 10% plasma are rep orted to have functions inferior to those preserved in plasma. Methods. Fukushima Cocktails (FCs) contain glycerol (25, 50 or 100 mM), sod ium acetate, glucose and other components. To test the effect and determine the most suitable concentration of glycerol for platelet preservation, fun ctions of platelets including aggregation, hypotonic shock response and swi rling pattern and released biochemicals were measured with platelets preser ved in Fukushima Cocktails. The effects of residual plasma on platelet func tions were also evaluated. Autologous platelets stored for 3 days in soluti on containing 50 mM glycerol were transfused into healthy volunteer donors to evaluate their safety and survival. Results. The functions (aggregation and hypotonic shock response) of platel ets preserved in Fukushima Cocktails with 10% residual plasma were preserve d for 5-7 days as well as plasma controls, whereas platelets stored for 9 d ays in a medium lacking glycerol became swollen and beta-thromboglobulin an d thromboxane B-2 increased. When the residual plasma was more than 5%, pla telet functions including aggregation, hypotonic shock response and swirlin g pattern were well preserved for 7 days. The in vivo platelet survival rat es at 24 and 38 h after transfusion of platelets stored for 3 days in Fukus hima Cocktail were 77% and 60%, respectively, which were not less than auto logous plasma-stored platelets. Conclusion. Glycerol at a concentration of around 50 mM has a beneficial ef fect on platelet preservation for more than 7 days. The results of these ex periments indicate that platelets stored in Fukushima Cocktail should be us eful clinically. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.