Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of X-ray irradiation on the inactivation ability of lymphocytes in suspended red blood cells and the quality of red blood cells within 14 days after irradiation. Methods The suspended red blood cells were divided into three groups: X-ray irradiation group, γ-ray irradiation group and non-irradiation group. The irradiation group was irradiated with 25Gy X-ray and γ-ray irradiation instrument respectively. Lymphocytes from the three groups of suspended red blood cells were isolated and cultured to compare the inactivation effects of the two irradiation methods on lymphocytes in suspended red blood cells. The hemolysis rate, 2,3-DPG, ATP and osmotic fragility of red blood cells at 0, 7 and 14 days before and after irradiation were detected. Results The inhibitory rates of lymphocyte proliferation after X-ray irradiation and γ-ray irradiation were (98.034±1.778) % and (97.882±1.915) % respectively, and there were no significant differences in hemolysis rate, 2,3-DPG, ATP and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes between the two groups within 14 days after irradiation (P>0.05). Conclusion There is no significant difference in the inactivation effect of lymphocyte between X-ray and γ-ray irradiation, and 25Gy irradiation has no significant effect on the quality of suspended red blood cells.

Key words: X-rays, γ-rays, Suspended red blood cells, Lymphocytes, Transfusion-associated, Graft-versus-host disease