Effects of the pH-controlled hemoglobin vesicles by CO2 gas.

The hemoglobin vesicle (HbV) is a red cell substitute encapsulating purified concentrated Hb in a phospholipid vesicle. In order to improve the oxygen carrying capability of HbV, the pH value of the Hb solution should be adjusted to 7.0 in the HbV preparation, and then the pH value should be adjusted to 7.4 where HbV functions as an oxygen carrier, because the maximum value of [Hb]/[Lipid] was obtained in which the pH of the Hb solution was 7.0, and the metHb formation rate was suppressed in the pH 7.4. Generally, the pH control of the inner aqueous phase of HbV is difficult by changing the pH in the outer phase. We could control the pH of the Hb solution from 7.4 to 7.0 by dissolving CO2 into the Hb solution, and after the preparation of HbV, the pH of HbV is changed to 7.4 by reducing the pressure. The resulting pH-controlled HbV by CO2 gas showed a high [Hb]/[Lipid] value of 1.7 with a low rate of metHb formation.