Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Platelet storage is complicated by deleterious changes that cause progressive structural and functional damages, so-called platelet storage lesion (PSL). PSL is commonly manifested by augmented platelet activation which is also associated with the increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Whether ROS generation increases during the storage of platelet concentrates and whether it will be correlated with P-selectin expression as a valid marker of platelet activation was investigated in this study.

Methods: In our experimental study, six PRP-platelet concentrates were randomly obtained from Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO). All the platelet products met the standard quality assessment based on AABB guidelines. Washed platelets were subjected to flow cytometry analysis for the evaluation of P-selectin expression and intracellular ROS production using DHR 123 in day 0, 1, 3 and 5 after storage. Statistical data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn’s multiple comparison test. For correlations, linear regression analysis was applied. P values of less than 0.05 were considered to be significant.

Results: Platelets ROS generation significantly increased from day 0 to day 5 of storage (P= 0.0002). This observed gradual increase was also directly correlated with the increasing levels of P-selectin expression during platelet storage (r= 0.72, P= 0.0001).

Conclusion: Our study showed significant increases in ROS generation during the storage of platelet concentrates correlated with the increments of P-selectin expression as an important marker of platelet activation. This finding suggests that the analysis of ROS generation can also be considered a marker of platelet activation during storage. However, whether ROS generation first induces platelet activation or platelet activation during storage triggers ROS generation is still remain to be determined.