AbstractRed cells collected in CPD and suspended in SAGM medium were stored in plastic (PVC) containers for 42 days at +4°C. Comparison was made between aerobic storage (normal air exposure) and anaerobic storage (exposure to nitrogen gas). The air‐exposed units showed a strong increase in pO2 and oxygen saturation as a result of oxygen penetration into the bags from outside. This resulted in a decrease in ATP and adenylate energy charge, a slower metabolization of adenine and hypoxanthine to AMP and IMP, respectively, and a faster decrease in red cell fluidity. To explain the findings it is concluded that aerobic storage causes an increased need of high‐energy phosphate groups, possibly used for replacement of the phospholipid membrane bilayer or in repair of phosphate bonds in the cytoskeleton. It is further proposed that a slight formation of hydrogen peroxide from free oxygen radicals moderately increases the oxidation of reduced (GSH) to oxidized (GSSG) glutathione and slightly enhances the need for reduced nicotinamide‐adenine dinucleotides mainly provided by increased flux through the pentose phosphate
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