Xanthone additives for blood storage that maintain its potential for oxygen delivery. I. 2-Hydroxyethoxy- and 2-ethoxy-6-(5-tetrazoyl) xanthones in citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1) blood.

Two xanthones, 2-hydroxyethoxy-6-(5-tetrazoyl) (BW A440C) and 2-ethoxy-6-(5-tetraozyl) (BW A827C), are members of a chemical series tested in vitro as potential additives to citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1) medium for blood storage. P50 was maintained in the presence of these compounds during 42 days' storage by a partial maintenance of 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (2,3 DPG) and by a direct effect on hemoglobin previously reported for BW A827C. Red cell 2,3 DPG levels for BW A440C (n = 5), BW A827C (n = 5), and control (n = 6), respectively, were 3.38 +/- 0.47, 3.44 +/- 0.25, and 1.20 +/- 0.10 mM +/- SEM on day 7; 1.16 +/- 0.13, 1.52 +/- 0.37, and 0.16 +/- 0.02 mM on day 21; and 0.67 +/- 0.09, 0.61 +/- 0.08, and 0.06 +/- 0.006 mM on day 42. Red cell adenine triphosphate levels at the same time intervals were 1.84 +/- 0.09, 1.46 +/- 0.18, and 2.11 +/- 0.04 mM; 2.10 +/- 0.05, 2.07 +/- 0.17, and 2.13 +/- 0.05 mM; and 1.42 +/- 0.13, 1.37 +/- 0.13, and 1.38 +/- 0.06 mM, respectively. The degree of hemolysis was less with the addition of the compounds, and the methemoglobin formation, plasma Na+ and K+, and lactate production were unaffected by the compounds.