Abstract: Objective To evaluate the impact of X-ray irradiation on the quality of suspended red blood cells by comparing and analyzing the change in quality control indicators and some physicochemical indicators related to suspended red blood cells treated with X-ray irradiation and g-ray irradiation. Methods Totally 49 bags of 2 U suspended red blood cells that failed the glutamate aminotransferase (ALT) test were randomly collected and divided into the γ group (21 bags) and X group (28 bags) according to the irradiation source. Group γ and group X were subjected to corresponding irradiation treatments on the 13th day after collection, and the irradiated blood samples were stored in a 2~6 ℃ blood refrigerator. Quality indicators of irradiated bloods were measured on the 1st and 22nd days after irradiation, respectively. Results The hemolysis rate, K⁺ concentration, Na⁺ concentration, Cl^- concentration, and Ca²⁺ concentration of group X and group γ were (0.10± 0.03) % vs. (0.09±0.06) %, (46.50±7.94) mmol/L vs. (45.03±4.65) mmol/L, (99.44±3.86) mmol/L vs. (100.83±4.79) mmol/L, (68.35±2.79) mmol/L vs. (67.59±1.26) mmol/L, and (0.40±0.11) mmol/L vs. (0.43±0.08) mmol/L on the first day after irradiation, and (0.29±0.07)% vs. (0.27±0.06)%, (64.22±4.58) mmol/L vs. (63.05±3.57) mmol/L, (81.50±5.56) mmol/L vs. (81.76±3.91) mmol/L, (68.72±1.97) mmol/L vs. (68.28±1.36) mmol/L, (0.39±0.10) mmol/L vs. (0.41±0.04) mmol/L on the 22nd day after irradiation. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed between group X and group g in terms of the same quality indicator at the same storage time. With the prolonged storage time, the hemolysis rate and K⁺ concentration of group X and group γ significantly increased, while the Na⁺ concentration significantly decreased and the concentration of Cl^- and Ca²⁺ remained unchanged. Conclusion There is no significant difference in the quality control and physicochemical indicators of suspended red blood cells treated with either X-ray or γ-ray irradiation. With safety completely considered, X-ray irradiator could replace γ-ray irradiator for the preparation of irradiated blood.

Key words: X-ray irradiation, γ-ray irradiation, Suspended red blood cell quality