Investigating the relationship between age and gender of blood donors with oxidative stress, and mitochondrial DNA release in platelet concentrates during storage

The variations in donor characteristics, may affect the progression of platelet storage lesion (PSL). Additionally, oxidative conditions and mitochondrial function play a role in these alterations. This study aims to investigate the impact of donor age and gender on oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) during the storage of platelet concentrates. In this study, 42 platelet-rich plasma platelet concentrates (PRP-PCs) were selected from male and female donors. We measured the research parameters, which include; platelet count, platelet metabolism, oxidative parameters, platelet viability and mtDNA during platelet concentrate storage. We found a significant increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), along with a decrease in pH, in platelet concentrates obtained from female in comparison to male blood donors (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis indicated a direct relationship between mtDNA and both ROS and MDA, as well as a negative correlation between mtDNA and pH. These alterations did not show significant differences among the groups. It seems that platelet concentrates prepared from female donors show oxidative stress earlier than those from male donors. It is suggested that these products be given priority for transfusion to prevent further deterioration of the quality of platelet concentrates during storage.