Oxygen transport and in vivo parameters of artificial red cells (ARC).

Artificial red cells (ARC) are prepared by encapsulating Hb with a polymerizable phospholipid. Their physical stability is very high and long-term preservation is possible in the frozen state. We examined the effect of blood parameters on the hematological and biochemical findings in transfused rats. The oxygen transport capacity of ARC in vivo were also tested by exchange transfusion in beagles. The oxygen binding parameters were almost the same as those of red blood cells (i.e., P50, Hill's coefficient, and oxygen transport efficiency (OTE) were 30 mmHg, 2.5, and 30%, respectively). The blood parameters after transfusion showed no significant changes when compared with the control. The oxygen transport capacity was of the same efficiency as red blood cells.