Platelet storage properties are associated with donor age: in vitro quality of platelets from young donors and older donors with and without Type 2 diabetes.

Abstract

Previously it has been shown that platelet (PLT) storage performance is consistent by donor. Differences involved metabolic activity, which might be caused by mitochondrial (dys)function, associated with age and age-related diseases like Type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to test PLTs from young donors in comparison with PLTs from older donors with or without diagnosis for T2D. Fifteen whole blood donors <30year were selected, and single-donor platelet concentrates (sPC) were prepared from buffy coats (BC) and plasma. Also, 2×11 sPC were prepared from matched donors >45years with and without T2D. The sPC were stored for 8days and analysed at regular intervals for invitro quality. Donors were 24±3, 60±7 (without T2D) and 59±8 (with T2D) years old. All sPC groups had comparable volume and PLT content. On Day 8, sPC from young donors showed higher pH37°C than sPC from older donors (6.84±0.15 vs. 6.40±0.48, P<0.01), due to lower lactate production. Also, CD62P expression (22.9±7.4 vs. 48.8±24.0%, P<0.01) and HSR reflected better invitro quality. PLT storage properties of sPC obtained from T2D donors (pH=6.51±0.35) were not different from sPC of matched donors (pH=6.40±0.48). No differences in mitochondrial membrane potential were detected between the groups. Platelets from young donors exhibited the best storage conditions. On average, PLTs from older donors showed poorer invitro quality but, considering the sub-optimal storage conditions, the implications for the daily blood bank routine is probably small. No association with T2D was found.