The effect of agitating buffy coats on platelet quality before soft spin.

Background: Platelet plays a vital role in both physiological and pathological processes. However, the limited storage time of platelet in vitro poses an immense challenge for its applications because of the increased risk of bacterial contamination and platelet storage lesions. Agitation can inhibit lesions by facilitating continuous oxygenation of platelets and permitting excess carbon dioxide to be removed during storage. However, it is still not known whether agitating BCs gives a positive effect on platelet quality.

Objectives: To evaluate the quality difference between platelet concentrates (PCs) from buffy coats (BCs) held rest and agitation.

Methods: Samples were withdrawn for cell count, blood gas analysis, free hemoglobin level, hypotonic shock response, maximum aggregation rate, activation marker expression (CD62P and CD42b) and coagulation function.

Results: We found the PCs prepared from the agitating BCs had fewer residual WBCs, exhibited a better gas exchange ability, slower metabolism (higher pH, higher content glucose, and lower lactic acid levels), better hypotonic shock response, and lower levels of CD62P. The TEG-PC assays showed no difference in coagulation function.

Conclusion: Our findings showed that BC can be agitated overnight before a soft spin.