ABSTRACT
Background: Gamma irradiation has been often used for inactivating viable T lymphocytes in the blood product to prevent post-transfusion graft - vs - host disease (PT - GVHD) occurred in the recipients having immunodeficiency. But the irradiating method must be determined to minimize the reverse effects on other blood elements. Objectives: to evaluate the side effects of gamma irradiating with 25 Gy and in different ways on red cells in stored red cell concentrates. Subjects and methods: Each of 30 red cell concentrates was divided into 3 parts and treated in 3 different ways to create 3 groups of sample for studying. All the samples were stored 35 days at 4 - 6\xb0C and measured red cell osmotic fragility, hemoglobin (Hb) level in storage solution in days 1,7,14,21,28,35. Results: 1) Red cell osmotic fragility decreased and free Hb level increased with time in the samples of 3 groups. 2) Red cell osmotic fragility decreased strongly from the 28th day (p < 0.05) and free Hb level increased dramatically from the 14th day (p < 0.001) in the samples of group 2 compared to control group and group 3 with the same storage time, while there was no difference in these parameters in groups 1 and 3. Conclusion: 1) Gamma irradiation with 25 Gy affected the intact of red cells in red cell concentrates only when irradiated right after being produced and stored more than 14 days. 2) The quality of red cell would be unchanged if used immediately after irradiated. \r\n', u'\r\n', u'