[Effect of rejuvenation on the rheologic properties of stored erythrocytes].

Buffycoat free red cell concentrates in a medium composed of sodium chloride, adenine, glucose and mannitol (SAGM) stored for 42 days at +4 degrees C were rejuvenated by a solution which contained pyruvate, inosine, disodiumphosphate and adenine (PIPA). The rheological behaviour of red cells was measured before and after rejuvenation by viscosimetry of red cell suspensions (hematocrit 45%) at various intervals during the storage period. The deformability of the red cells during storage was determined also before and after rejuvenation by measurement of the viscosity of hard packed cells (hematocrit 98%). The results show improvement of the rheological properties by rejuvenation. Moreover it is shown that incubation of the red cells at 37 degrees C for two hours without rejuvenation solution decreases the viscosity.