Platelet aggregation inhibiting and anticoagulant effects of oligoamines, XXIX: Influence of the antithrombotic oligoamine RE 1492 on the storage of red blood cells, morphology, their potassium and ATP content, hemolysis and viability.

The influence of RE 1492 on the storage of red blood cells (RBCs) was investigated. RE 1492 (c > or = 50 mumol/L) induces the formation of cup cells and hence delays the appearance of echinocytes and crenated spheres in the blood. A concentration of 50 mumol/L RE 1492 drops hemolysis by 50%. At this concentration after 6 h of storage the potassium efflux was enhanced significantly. The ATP concentration was decreased between 12 h and 24 h of storage. During the first 6 h these alterations have no effect on the in vivo viability of RBCs. After 12 h of storage a significant reduction in viability is observed. We suppose that the changes observed are due to the intercalation of RE 1492 in the phospholipid matrix of the RBC membrane, followed by an accelerated substrate turnover in the RBCs.