Researchers from Wake Forest and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found red bloods cells in stored blood can break down during storage. Broken down red bloods cells can damage nitric oxide upon transfusion into a patient’s body, which keeps blood vessels dilated for normal blood flow.
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The researchers are studying alternative storage methods for safer blood transfusions. Potential alternatives include restoring nitric oxide activity that is lost upon transfusion and developing preservation solutions that limit the breakdown of red blood cells.
Read the Wake Forest news report about blood storage.
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