HISTAMINE, CYTOKINE AND ANAPHYLATOXIN LEVELS IN STORED PLATELET CONCENTRATES

Abstract

We measured the plasma levels of histamine, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8) and anaphylatoxin (C3a) in platelet concentrates (PCs) during storage.
Increased TNF-α levels were found in PCs after 120 hours of storage. However, the PCs stored for 120 hours contained TNF-α in amounts well below those which induce fever, chills and other symptoms in most patients treated with recombinant TNF-α.
Increased IL-8 levels were also found in stored PCs. Thus, it is important to note that a critical IL-8 threshold might be reached in a patient upon infusion of stored PCs containing high levels of IL-8.
Plasma histamine levels were below 1nmol/2U PCs after 120 hours of storage.
Anaphylatoxin (C3a and C3a-desArg) levels were increased to 56μg/2U (1.6×10^-7M) after 72 hours of storage, a level reportedly sufficient to induce platelet activation, suppress NK activity and induce IL-1 release from macrophages.
These results may help explain some of the unexpected reactions in patients receiving PCs transfusions.