A study on the correlation between hemoglobin concentration and the storage quality of suspended red blood cells prepared from the whole blood of Tibetan male residents

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported that the blood of Tibetans living at different altitudes may vary slightly. There is evidence that the harsh environmental conditions at high altitudes, such as low pressure and hypoxia, may affect the morphology and hemorheology of red blood cells (RBCs). Hypoxia would increase the levels of hemoglobin ([Hb]) and hematocrit (Hct), potentially increasing blood hyperviscosity and compromising blood collection and transfusions. Therefore, it is critical to investigate the in vitro storage quality of Tibetan RBCs. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the in vitro quality of suspended RBCs (SRBCs) prepared from whole blood (WB) of Tibetan residents with varying Hb concentrations ([Hb]) was measured during storage, and the relationship between the major factors in RBC storage and [Hb] was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The WB of Tibetan men was divided into three groups based on [Hb] levels (group A: 120 < Hb ≤ 185 g/L; group B: 185 < Hb ≤ 210 g/L; group C: Hb > 210 g/L). The SRBCs prepared from WB were examined aseptically on days 1, 14, 21, and 35 after storage. RESULTS: [Hb] was not correlated with mean corpuscular volume (MCV), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), pH, P50, and hemolysis. There was a moderate or strong negative association between platelets (PLT) and [Hb] from days 1 to 35, and the PLT number of group C was lower than group A during storage. Group C had the highest change rates of electrolytes, glucose, and lactate, and there were moderate or strong positive correlations between lactate and [Hb] (r = 0.3772, p = 0.0045), glucose and [Hb] (r = 0.5845, p < 0.0001), Na(+) and [Hb] (r = 0.3966, p = 0.0027), and K(+) and [Hb] (r = 0.4885, p = 0.0002). Group B had the highest change rates of 2,3-DPG on day 35, and there was a negative correlation between 2,3-DPG and [Hb] (r = −0.4933, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These new data on the [Hb] could have implications for researchers wishing to study the storage quality of Tibetan SRBCs, particularly in the context of erythrocyte metabolism, and we propose finding a new, suitable alternative solution for plateau SRBCs, particularly the blood with [Hb] greater than 185 g/L. Our results could have important implications for researchers wishing to study the potential framework of high-altitude-induced SRBC storage lesions.