Platelet storage at 22 degrees C; metabolic, morphologic, and functional studies

Platelets stored at 22 degrees C for transfusion purpose have been examined with metabolic, morphologic, and functional studies. Evaluations were made of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) stored for 3-4 days and platelet concentrates (PC) stored for 24 hr. During these periods, lactate accumulated continuously without significant change in platelet count, pH, or plasma glucose. Platelet glycogen fell dramatically both chemically and by electron microscopy, but adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and intracellular potassium did not change. After storage, the cell's capacity for glucose utilization through glycolysis, the hexose monophosphate shunt, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle appeared to be intact. Although platelet volume during storage did not change, disc to sphere transformation was observed by phase microscopy. Platelet aggregration with ADP was reduced even after 1 day of storage. After transfusion of stored platelets to thrombocytopenic recipients, recovery of platelet glycogen and capacity for aggregation occurred within 24 hr. In summary, the platelet remains surprisingly intact during the intervals studied; those defects which do develop are reversible in the circulation of a thrombocytopenic recipient if viability has been maintained. A "storage lesion" responsible for loss of viability has not been defined.

The metabolism of hexachlorocyclohexanes and pentachlorocyclohexenes in flies and grass grubs

1. gamma-Hexachlorocyclohexane, gamma-pentachlorocyclohexene and delta-pentachlorocyclohexene were converted by houseflies and grass grubs into metabolites that had chromatographic properties identical with those of S-2,4-dichlorophenylglutathione. 2. The metabolism of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane and the pentachlorocyclohexene isomers was negligible in newly emerged blowflies, but increased over the next 10 days. 3. The metabolism of both gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane and the pentachlorocyclohexene isomers was inhibited by simultaneous dosage with tetrabromophenolphthalein ethyl ester or Bromophenol Blue in both grass grubs and flies, but only the metabolism of pentachlorocyclohexenes in blowflies was stopped by simultaneous dosage with bis-(N-dimethylaminophenyl)methane. NN-Di-n-butyl-p-chlorobenzenesulphonamide had no effect on the metabolism of pentachlorocyclohexenes by blowflies. 4. The use of these inhibitors and colorimetric assays leads to the conclusion that a pentachlorocyclohexene is not a major intermediary metabolite of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane in these insects.