Abstract
<jats:p>Transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) to patients with hemorrhagic shock leads to the development of post-transfusion inflammation due to the destruction of damaged RBC by macrophages in the spleen and liver, the release of iron ions, and an increase in active oxygen species levels. Constant transfusion of RBC leads to deterioration of the function of the main organs, the pancreas, liver, and heart, as a result of iron overload of the body. These negative circumstances require the development of a procedure for stabilizing cryopreserved RBC in order to prevent their significant hemolysis during transfusion. The osmotic characteristics and shape changes of RBC in a sulfate medium were studied in response to the anion channel inhibitor DIDS. The change in the intensity of optical density fluctuations in a stirred RBC suspension is an indicator of changes in the content of discoid cells (normocytes). It was shown that in a medium containing Na2SO4 (110 mmol/l), RBC were transformed into spherical shapes within ~20 s. Inclusion of DIDS in the medium before adding RBC causes reversible cell retransformation in the direction of spheres → discs → spheres. This retransformation is blocked for cryopreserved cells. At the same time, treatment of erythrocytes before freezing with a medium that includes substrates for the synthesis of glutathione (glutamine and N-acetylcysteine) ensures a reduction in cell hemolysis after thawing and washing of the cells. An increase in the osmotic stability of washed RBC during hypothermic storage is noted. In addition, the restoration of reversible retransformation of cryopreserved cells to the action of DIDS is revealed. The obtained results indicate that stimulation of glutathione synthesis by substrates promotes an increase in the resistance of RBC to damaging freezing factors. This resistance can likely provide a decrease in the degree of destruction of RBC in the body during transfusion. In addition, an increase in the level of glutathione promotes an increase in the antioxidant potential of RBC, which is necessary for neutralizing active oxygen species and inhibiting the development of post-transfusion inflammation.</jats:p>