Influence of O(2)-carrying plasma hemoprotein "albumin-heme" on complement system and platelet activation in vitro and physiological responses to exchange transfusion.

Recombinant human serum albumin (HSA) including the synthetic iron(II)-porphyrin (FeP), albumin-heme (HSA-FeP), is a unique O(2)-carrying plasma hemoprotein as a red blood cell substitute. We have investigated the possible influence of HSA-FeP on the complement system and platelet activation in vitro. The amounts of the serum complement titer CH(50) and terminal complement complex SC5b-9 of human blood serum, incubated with HSA-FeP (10, 20, and 40 vol %), were almost the same as those of the corresponding samples with HSA. The effect of HSA-FeP on the platelet reactivity has been demonstrated by conformational changes in the membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and surface expression of an alpha-granule membrane protein P-selectin. Platelet activation in response to the ADP-stimulation was not influenced by the presence of HSA-FeP. It can be concluded that the albumin-heme solution does not facilitate the immunological reaction and platelet activation. Moreover, a 20% exchange transfusion with HSA-FeP into anesthetized rats has been performed to evaluate the circulation and blood parameters for 6 h. Time course changes in all parameters showed features identical to the control group (without infusion) and HSA group.