Effect of sodium nitroprusside on the microrheological properties of red blood cells in different media

Red blood cell(RBC)aggregation as well as their deformation significantly affects blood microrheology.These processes depend on various factors,one of which is concentration of the nitric oxide,one of the main signaling molecule in the bloodstream.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nitric oxide on the microrheological properties of red blood cells(RBCs)in RBC samples of various media after the addition of nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside in vitro.Microrheological properties were measured using laser aggregometer and ektacytometer based on diffuse light scattering and diffraction of laser light on a suspension of RBCs,respectively.The study found that heparin-stabilized blood showed increased RBC aggregation and deformation with sodium nitroprusside concentrations of 100,and 200M,while EDTA-stabilized blood showed slightly decreased aggregation and unchanged deformation.With washed RBCs in dextran solution,the addition of sodium nitroprusside(in the concentrations of 100,and 200M)resulted in decreased aggregation and increased deformation.These-ndings aid in our understanding of nitric oxide's effect on RBC microrheological properties.

Using Optical Tweezers to Study the Friction of the Red Blood Cells

In the last two decades the study of red blood cell elasticity using optical tweezers has known a rise appearing in the scientific research with regard to the various works carried out. Despite the various work done, no study has been done so far to study the influence of friction on the red blood cell indentation response using optical tweezers. In this study, we have developed a new approach to determine the coefficient of friction as well as the frictional forces of the red blood cell. This approach therefore allowed us to simultaneously carry out the indentation and traction test, which allowed us to extract the interfacial properties of the microbead red blood cell couple, among other things, the friction coefficient. This property would be extremely important to investigate the survival and mechanical features of cells, which will be of great physiological and pathological significance. But taking into account the hypothesis of friction as defined by the isotropic Coulomb law. The experiment performed for this purpose is the Brinell Hardness Test (DB).

Predictive value of red blood cell distribution width and hematocrit for short-term outcomes and prognosis in colorectal cancer patients undergoing radical surgery

BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported that low hematocrit levels indicate poor survival in patients with ovarian cancer and cervical cancer,the prognostic value of hematocrit for colorectal cancer(CRC)patients has not been determined.The prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width(RDW)for CRC patients was controversial.AIM To investigate the impact of RDW and hematocrit on the short-term outcomes and long-term prognosis of CRC patients who underwent radical surgery.METHODS Patients who were diagnosed with CRC and underwent radical CRC resection between January 2011 and January 2020 at a single clinical center were included.The short-term outcomes,overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS)were compared among the different groups.Cox analysis was also conducted to identify independent risk factors for OS and DFS.RESULTS There were 4258 CRC patients who underwent radical surgery included in our study.A total of 1573 patients were in the lower RDW group and 2685 patients were in the higher RDW group.There were 2166 and 2092 patients in the higher hematocrit group and lower hematocrit group,respectively.Patients in the higher RDW group had more intraoperative blood loss(P<0.01)and more overall complications(P<0.01)than did those in the lower RDW group.Similarly,patients in the lower hematocrit group had more intraoperative blood loss(P=0.012),longer hospital stay(P=0.016)and overall complications(P<0.01)than did those in the higher hematocrit group.The higher RDW group had a worse OS and DFS than did the lower RDW group for tumor node metastasis(TNM)stage I(OS,P<0.05;DFS,P=0.001)and stage II(OS,P=0.004;DFS,P=0.01)than the lower RDW group;the lower hematocrit group had worse OS and DFS for TNM stage II(OS,P<0.05;DFS,P=0.001)and stage III(OS,P=0.001;DFS,P=0.001)than did the higher hematocrit group.Preoperative hematocrit was an independent risk factor for OS[P=0.017,hazard ratio(HR)=1.256,95%confidence interval(CI):1.041-1.515]and DFS(P=0.035,HR=1.194,95%CI:1.013-1.408).CONCLUSION A higher preoperative RDW and lower hematocrit were associated with more postoperative complications.However,only hematocrit was an independent risk factor for OS and DFS in CRC patients who underwent radical surgery,while RDW was not.

Application of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and red blood cell distribution width in diabetes mellitus complicated with heart failure

BACKGROUND Accumulating clinical evidence has shown that diabetes mellitus(DM)is a serious risk factor for cardiovascular disorders and an important factor for adverse cardiovascular events.AIM To explore the value of the combined determination of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and red blood cell distribution width(RDW)in the early diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of DM complicated with heart failure(HF).METHODS We retrospectively analyzed clinical data on 65 patients with type 2 DM(T2DM)complicated with HF(research group,Res)and 60 concurrent patients with uncomplicated T2DM(control group,Con)diagnosed at Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital between January 2019 and December 2021.The NLR and RDW values were determined and comparatively analyzed,and their levels in T2DM+HF patients with different cardiac function grades were recorded.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to determine the NLR and RDW values(alone and in combination)for the early diagnosis of HF.The correlation between NLR and RDW with the presence or absence of cardiac events was also investigated.RESULTS Higher NLR and RDW levels were identified in the Res vs the Con groups(P<0.05).The NLR and RDW increased gradually and synchronously with the deterioration of cardiac function in the Res group,with marked differences in their levels among patients with grade II,III,and IV HF(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis revealed that NLR combined with RDW detection had an area under the curve of 0.915,a sensitivity of 76.9%,and a specificity of 100%for the early diagnosis of HF.Furthermore,HF patients with cardiac events showed higher NLR and RDW values compared with HF patients without cardiac events.CONCLUSION NLR and RDW were useful laboratory indicators for the early diagnosis of DM complicated with HF,and their joint detection was beneficial for improving diagnostic efficiency.Additionally,NLR and RDW values were directly proportional to patient outcomes.

Development of Non-ABO Red Blood Cell Alloantibodies in Patient Undergoing Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Alloantibodies that are non ABO Alloimmunization to protein antigens happens only after exposure, in contrast to ABO isohaemagglutinins, which are present naturally, even in the absence of prior exposure. It is recognized that while non-ABO RBC antibodies are less common than ABO antibodies, they generate essentially the same issues that lead to unfavorable clinical results. If non-ABO alloantibodies are identified early on, these issues related complications may be avoided This call for an in-depth understanding of the recipient and donor’s ABO-Rh grouping, antibody screening, and the phenotype of certain antigens. Equally important, the temporal association time between transplantation and hemolysis can help identify the underlying mechanism of hemolysis and direct appropriate management. Therefore, for that, it is crucial to identify the etiology of post-HSCT anemia for prevention and therapy, in addition to a thorough grasp of the mechanism of anemia in non-ABO-incompatible HSCT and the temporal link between HSCT and anemia. Finding the cause of post-HSCT anemia is essential for prevention and therapy, in addition to a thorough grasp of the mechanism of anemia in non-ABO-incompatible HSCT and the temporal link between HSCT and anemia. Therefore, for that, it is crucial to identify the etiology of post-HSCT anemia. In this case report review, we would like to highlight the vital role of transfusion medicine services and stem cell clinical teams in paying particular attention to the clinical significance of non-ABO alloantibodies involved to avoid causing overt hemolysis of incompatible donor RBCs or delayed erythropoiesis. Considering the fact that some of the Haematopoietic stem cell transplant centers do not give an attention to the other non-ABO RBC antigens.

Study on the packed volume and the void ratio of idealized human red blood cells using a ?nite-discrete element method

Numerical simulations are performed to examine the packing behavior of human red blood cells(RBCs). A combined ?nite-discrete element method(FDEM) is utilized, in which the RBCs are modeled as no-friction and no-adhesion solid bodies. The packed volume and the void ratio of a large number of randomly packed RBCs are clari?ed,and the effects of the RBC shape, the mesh size, the cell number, and the container size are investigated. The results show that the packed human RBCs with normal shape have a void ratio of 28.45%, which is slightly higher than that of the ?at or thick cells used in this study. Such information is bene?cial to the further understanding on the geometric features of human RBCs and the research on RBC simulations.

Red cell distribution width/platelet ratio estimates the 3-year risk of decompensation in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease-induced cirrhosis

BACKGROUND For compensated advanced chronic liver disease(cACLD)patients,the first decompensation represents a dramatically worsening prognostic event.Based on the first decompensation event(DE),the transition to decompensated advanced chronic liver disease(dACLD)can occur through two modalities referred to as acute decompensation(AD)and non-AD(NAD),respectively.Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension(CSPH)is considered the strongest predictor of decompensation in these patients.However,due to its invasiveness and costs,CSPH is almost never evaluated in clinical practice.Therefore,recognizing noninvasively predicting tools still have more appeal across healthcare systems.The red cell distribution width to platelet ratio(RPR)has been reported to be an indicator of hepatic fibrosis in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease(MASLD).However,its predictive role for the decompensation has never been explored.AIM In this observational study,we investigated the clinical usage of RPR in predicting DEs in MASLD-related cACLD patients.METHODS Fourty controls and 150 MASLD-cACLD patients were consecutively enrolled and followed up(FUP)semiannually for 3 years.At baseline,biochemical,clinical,and Liver Stiffness Measurement(LSM),Child-Pugh(CP),Model for End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD),aspartate aminotransferase/platelet count ratio index(APRI),Fibrosis-4(FIB-4),Albumin-Bilirubin(ALBI),ALBI-FIB-4,and RPR were collected.During FUP,DEs(timing and modaities)were recorded.CSPH was assessed at the baseline and on DE occurrence according to the available Clinical Practice Guidelines.RESULTS Of 150 MASLD-related cACLD patients,43(28.6%)progressed to dACLD at a median time of 28.9 months(29 NAD and 14 AD).Baseline RPR values were significantly higher in cACLD in comparison to controls,as well as MELD,CP,APRI,FIB-4,ALBI,ALBI-FIB-4,and LSM in dACLD-progressing compared to cACLD individuals[all P<0.0001,except for FIB-4(P:0.007)and ALBI(P:0.011)].Receiving operator curve analysis revealed RPR>0.472 and>0.894 as the best cut-offs in the prediction respectively of 3-year first DE,as well as its superiority compared to the other non-invasive tools examined.RPR(P:0.02)and the presence of baseline-CSPH(P:0.04)were significantly and independently associated with the DE.Patients presenting baseline-CSPH and RPR>0.472 showed higher risk of decompensation(P:0.0023).CONCLUSION Altogether these findings suggest the RPR as a valid and potentially applicable non-invasive tool in the prediction of timing and modalities of decompensation in MASLD-related cACLD patients.

Value of red blood cell distribution width in prediction of diastolic dysfunction in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND Clinical diagnosis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy(CCM) often encounters challenges of lack of timeliness and disease severity, with the commonly positive indicator usually associated with advanced heart failure.AIM To explore suitable biomarkers for early CCM prediction.METHODS A total of 505 eligible patients were enrolled in this study and divided into four groups according to Child-Pugh classification: Group Ⅰ, Class A without CCM(105 cases);Group Ⅱ, Class A with CCM(175 cases);Group Ⅲ, Class B with CCM(139 cases);and Group Ⅳ, Class C with CCM(86 cases). Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analyses were performed to determine whether red blood cell distribution width(RDW) was an independent risk factor for CCM risk. The relationships between RDW and Child-Pugh scores, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD) scores, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.RESULTS A constant RDW increase was evident from Group Ⅰ to Group Ⅳ(12.54 ± 0.85, 13.29 ± 1.19, 14.30 ± 1.96, and 16.25 ± 2.13, respectively). Pearson correlation analysis showed that RDW was positively correlated with Child-Pugh scores(r = 0.642, P < 0.001), MELD scores(r = 0.592, P < 0.001), and NT-proBNP(r = 0.715, P < 0.001). Furthermore, between Group Ⅰ and Group Ⅱ, RDW was the only significant index(odds ratio: 2.175, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.549-3.054, P < 0.001), and it reached statistical significance when examined by ROC curve analysis(area under the curve: 0.686, 95%CI: 0.624-0.748, P < 0.001).CONCLUSION RDW can serve as an effective and accessible clinical indicator for the prediction of diastolic dysfunction in CCM, in which a numerical value of more than 13.05% may indicate an increasing CCM risk.

The Prognostic Value of Red Cell Distribution Width in Critically Ill Cerebral Infarction Patients:A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective:Red blood cell distribution width(RDW)has been utilized as a prognostic indicator for mortality risk assessment in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular patients.Nevertheless,the prognostic significance of RDW in critically ill patients with cerebral infarction is yet to be investigated.The objective of this study is to examine the association between RDW and the risk of all-cause mortality in cerebral infarction patients admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU).Method:A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV 2.2(MIMIC-IV)intensive care dataset for data analysis.The main results were the all-cause mortality rates at 3 and 12 months of follow-up.Cumulative curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method,and Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to examine the relationship between RDW and mortality rates in critically ill cerebral infarction patients.Results:The findings indicate that RDW serves as a significant prognostic factor for mortality risk in critically ill stroke patients,specifically at the 3 and 12-month follow-up periods.The observed correlation between increasing RDW levels and higher mortality rates among cerebral infarction patients further supports the potential utility of RDW as a predictive indicator.Conclusion:RDW emerges as an independent predictor of mortality risk during the 3 and 12-month follow-up periods for critically ill patients with cerebral infarction.

Comparison of the conventional tube and erythrocyte-magnetized technology in titration of red blood cell alloantibodies

BACKGROUND Erythrocyte alloantibodies are mainly produced after immune stimulation,such as blood transfusion,pregnancy,and transplantation,and are the leading causes of severe hemolytic transfusion reactions and difficulty in blood grouping and matching.Therefore,antibody screening is critical to prevent and improve red cell alloantibodies.Routine tube assay is the primary detection method of antibody screening.Recently,erythrocyte-magnetized technology(EMT)has been increasingly used in clinical practice.This study intends to probe the application and efficacy of the conventional tube and EMT in red blood cell alloantibody titration to provide a reference for clinical blood transfusion.AIM To investigate the application value of conventional tube and EMT in red blood cell alloantibody titration and enhance the safety of blood transfusion practice.METHODS A total of 1298 blood samples were harvested from blood donors at the Department of Blood Transfusion of our hospital from March 2021 to December 2022.A 5 mL blood sample was collected in tubing,which was then cut,and the whole blood was put into a test tube for centrifugation to separate the serum.Different red blood cell blood group antibody titers were simultaneously detected using the tube polybrene test,tube antiglobulin test(AGT),and EMT screening irregular antibody methods to determine the best test method.RESULTS Simultaneous detection was performed through the tube polybrene test,tube AGT and EMT screening irregular antibodies.It was discovered that the EMT screening irregular antibody method could detect all immunoglobulin G(IgG)and immunoglobulin M(IgM)irregular antibodies,and the results of manual tube AGT were satisfactory,but the operation time was lengthy,and the equipment had a large footprint.The EMT screening irregular antibody assay was also conducted to determine its activity against type O Rh(D)red blood cells,and the outcomes were satisfactory.Furthermore,compared to the conventional tube method,the EMT screening irregular antibody method was more cost-effective and had significantly higher detection efficiency.CONCLUSION With a higher detection rate,the EMT screening irregular antibody method can detect both IgG and IgM irregular antibodies faster and more effectively than the conventional tube method.

The Popularization and Application of Cold Storage Red Blood Cells or Whole Blood at -80 ℃ of the Rh(D) Negative Patients in Surgical Operation

Summary: The efficiency of cold storage red blood cells (CSRBC) or whole blood at -80 ℃ used in 27 Rh(D) negative patients during surgical operation was reported. The Rh(D) negative patients received the transfusion of CSRBC or whole blood stored at -80 ℃ for 180 to 360 days. The changes in the indexes, such as blood TB, DB, K +, Na +, BUN, Cr, urine protein (URPO), UOB, Hb, HCT, serum total protein, relative to hemolytic reaction and blood volume before and after transfusion were observed. The results showed that after transfusion of CSRBC or whole blood 27 cases were negative for urine protein and UOB, and the levels of BUN and Cr were normal (P>0.05). Blood TB, DB, Hb, and HCT were increased, while pH, blood K + and blood Na + was normal with the difference being not significant before and after operation (P>0.05). Plasma protein was decreased, but there was no significant difference before and after operation (P>0.05). It was suggested that CSRBC or whole blood at -80 ℃ could be safely infused to the Rh(D) negative patients without side effects during the surgical operation.

Isolation of Fetal Nucleated Red Blood Cells from Maternal Blood

To find a simple, effective method of isolating fetal cells from maternal peripheral blood for prenatal diagnosis, 45 women were studied with their gestation being 6-14 weeks and age 21- 30 years. The fetal cells were isolated from maternal blood by using discontinuous density gradient centrifugation. Some of the isolated cells were made smear and counted under the microscope; others were used for predicting fetal sex by PCR amplification of Y chromosome specific DYZ1 gene. The major cells in the upper separation interface were lymphocytes and monocytes, with occasionally seen nucleated red blood cells (NRBC); while those in the middle separation interface were neutrocytes, with NRBC scattering. The ratio of NRBC/nucleated cells was 1. 98±0. 28× 10-5. There was no significant difference between the first and second trimester (P>0. 05). The amount of isolated fetal cells was sufficient for prenatal genetic diagnosis. Male pregnancy was correctly predicted in 10 out of 13 cases. It is concluded that the method of discontinuous density gradient centrifugation was of considerable importance in the development of non-invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis.

Enrichment of Fetal Nucleated Red Blood Cells by Multi-core Magnetic Composite Particles for Non-invasive Prenatal Diagnosis

A novel kind of multi-core magnetic composite particles, the surfaces of which were respectively mo- dified with goat-anti-mouse IgG and antitransferrin receptor（anti-CD71）, was prepared. The fetal nucleated red blood cells（FNRBCs） in the peripheral blood of a gravida were rapidly and effectively enriched and separated by the mo- dified multi-core magnetic composite particles in an external magnetic field. The obtained FNRBCs were used for the identification of the fetal sex by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization（FISH） technique. The results demonstrate that the multi-core magnetic composite particles meet the requirements for the enrichment and speration of FNRBCs with a low concentration and the accuracy of detetion for the diagnosis of fetal sex reached to 95%. Moreover, the obtained FNRBCs were applied to the non-invasive diagnosis of Down syndrome and chromosome 3p21 was de- tected. The above facts indicate that the novel multi-core magnetic composite particles-based method is simple, relia- ble and cost-effective and has opened up vast vistas for the potential application in clinic non-invasive prenatal diag- nosis.

Plasma and Red Blood Cells Concentration Profiles of Ktamine after Single Intravenous Administration in an Anaesthetic Protocol in Horses

The aim of this study was to describe the concentration profile of ketamine in plasma and red blood cells following an intravenous (IV) bolus in the horse. Ten healthy standardbred horses (two males and height females) 7.7 ± 4.6 (mean value ± SD) years old and weighting 380 ± 21 kg (mean value ± SD) were recruited. The horses were premedicated with acepromazine (0.04 mg·kg-1·IV). Fifteen minutes later they received romifidine (0.08 mg·kg-1·IV), and 5 minutes after they were administered midazolam (0.06 mg·kg-1·IV). Immediately, anaesthesia was induced by ketamine (2.2 mg·kg-1·IV). Venous blood samples were collected at scheduled time points. Plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) concentration of ketamine was assayed using a high performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC/UV-DAD). The high mean recovery rates, the high sensitivity, the good linearity, suggest a clinical applicability of the analytical method. A bicompartmental model resulted as the most appropriate to describe the ketamine concentration—time profile for both plasma and RBCs. The fitted regression line between ketamine plasma concentrations and RBC concentrations supports the good correlation between ketamine concentrations in plasma and in RBCs. The kinetic parameters of ketamine calculated for RBC are equal or very similar to the plasma ones. The study confirms the kinetic behaviour of ketamine used in the horse as anaesthetic inducers in routine surgery. Finally, the bicompartmental model well describes the ketamine profile also in RBCs, that it is very close to the plasma profile, underlining the great importance of RBCs as blood subcompartment.

Resonance Raman spectroscopy of red blood cells using lie algebraic technique

Raman spectra of oxygenated and deoxygenated functional erythrocytes are calculated by using Lie algebraic technique. The results are obtained by this method is accuracy with the experimental data. So, the algebraic techniques are appropriate to the Raman spectra of red blood cells.

Influence of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on red blood cells and Caco-2 cells

The interactions of two types of cells (red blood cells, Caco-2 cells) with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (non-grafted, citrate-grafted, dendrimer-grafted) of 11 nm in size have been investigated. We focused on two important physiological parameters of the cells, the intracellular pH and the intracellular Ca2+ content. The results show that the nanoparticles do not have a significant influence on the pH and Ca2+ content of Caco-2 cells. The Ca2+ content of red blood cells is also not affected but the intracellular pH is slightly reduced.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and Increased Oxidative Stress Levels Are Associated with Impaired Membrane Fluidity of Red Blood Cells in Hypertensive and Normotensive Men: An Electron Spin Resonance Investigation

Hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress may be strongly linked to hypertension, atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. The present study was performed to investigate possible relationships among plasma total homocysteine, plasma 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-isoPG F2α: an index of oxidative stress), and membrane fluidity (a reciprocal value of membrane microviscosity) in hypertension. We measured the membrane fluidity of red blood cells (RBCs) in hypertensive and normotensive men using an electron spin resonance (ESR) and spin-labeling method. Membrane fluidity of RBCs was significantly decreased in hypertensive men compared with normotensive men. Plasma total homocysteine levels were significantly higher in hypertensive men than in normotensive men, and correlated with plasma 8-isoPG F2α. In contrast, plasma nitric oxide (NO)-metabolites (an index of endothelial function) were lower in hypertensive men than in normotensive men. The reduced membrane fluidity of RBCs was associated with increased total homocysteine and plasma 8-isoPG F2α levels and decreased plasma NO-metabolite levels. Multivariate regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for general risk factors, plasma total homocysteine and 8-isoPG F2α were significant determinants of membrane fluidity of RBCs, respectively. These results suggest that hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress with endothelial dysfunction might have a close correlation with impaired rheologic behavior of RBCs and circulatory disorders in hypertensive men.

Water Efflux in Red Blood Cells of Sickle Cell Patients under Spontaneous Deoxygenation

The water transport through Red Blood Cells (RBC) membrane has been previously studied in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) using oxygenated RBC or under complete deoxygenation. In this work, the water efflux in RBC of sickle cell patients was studied under spontaneous deoxygenation conditions. With that purpose, a magnetic resonance method was used to evaluate the water exchange time (τe) and the permeability through the erythrocyte membrane (P) measuring the spin-spin relaxation time (T2) in doped and non-doped RBC. Carr-Purcell-Meiboon-Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence was used to measure T2 in a magnetic resonance console coupled to one homogeneous magnet system (0.095 T). An increase of the water transport in RBC from sickle cell patients was observed and characterized with a τe value of 15.2 ± 0.8 ms. The abnormal activation of the Psickle, Gardos, and potassium chloride cotransporter channels starting from deoxygenation, as well as, the possible appearance of new pores due to the increase of the hemoglobin-membrane interaction, are suggested to explain this abnormal transport phenotype. The change of the water volume to surface ratio (V/S) in the sickle cells is also suggested to be considered in P calculation under deoxygenation. The results obtained in this work increase the fundamental knowledge about molecular mechanism involved in SCD and could be useful in the development of new methods for diagnostic and treatment evaluation.

Improving Oxygen Binding of Desiccated Human Red Blood Cells

Desiccating human red blood cells (RBCs) to increase their storage life has been the subject of intense research for a number of years. However, drying RBCs invariably compromises their integrity and has detrimental effects on hemoglobin function due to autoxidation. We have previously demonstrated an RBC desiccation and rehydration process that preserves RBC antigenic epitopes better than frozen RBCs. This study expands on those observations by examining what effects this desiccation process has on RBC hemoglobin function with respect to oxygen binding properties. In this paper, we examined RBCs from normal donors which were desiccated to 25% moisture content and stored dry for 2 weeks at room temperature prior to rehydration with plasma followed by structural and functional studies. Our data showed that approximately 98% of the RBCs were intact upon rehydration based on hemolysis assays. Oxygen dissociation curves for the desiccated/rehydrated RBCs showed a left shift compared to fresh RBCs (pO2 = 17 mmHg vs. 26 mmHg, respectively). The desiccated/rehydrated RBCs also showed an increase in methemoglobin compared to fresh RBCs (4.5% vs 0.9%, respectively). 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate concentration of the desiccated/rehydrated RBCs was reduced by 20%. In conclusion, although this RBC dehydration process preserves RBC integrity and hemoglobin oxygen binding properties better than most other dehydration techniques described so far, further optimization and long-term studies are needed to make this procedure acceptable for human transfusion.