Donor Iron Deficiency Study - Red Blood Cells From Iron-deficient Donors: Recovery and Storage Quality

Iron deficiency is common among regular blood donors, but the recovery and quality of red
blood cell (RBC) units from iron-deficient donors has not been rigorously examined. Evidence
from both animal and human studies indicate that when the iron supply for erythropoiesis is
inadequate, the RBCs produced have multiple metabolic defects that impair their ability to
tolerate refrigerated storage. Studies in a mouse model demonstrated decreased
post-transfusion recovery of refrigerator-stored RBCs obtained from iron-deficient donors.
The planned studies will identify human donors at greatest risk of providing RBCs with poor
post-transfusion recovery by using a combination of a decreased serum ferritin concentration
and increased RBC zinc protoporphyrin, as described below. To evaluate unequivocally the role
of iron deficiency in poor posttransfusion RBC recovery, intravenous iron will be used for
iron repletion.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18-75 years old;

2. healthy (by self report);

3. body weight >110 lbs;

4. female hematocrit >=38%, male hematocrit >39%;

5. frequent blood donor (men ≥2 and female ≥1 RBC unit donations in past year);

6. ferritin <=15 ng/mL; and

7. zinc protoporphyrin >=60 µmol/mol heme.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. ineligible for donation based on the New York Blood Center donor autologous
questionnaire;

2. taking iron supplementation;

3. C-reactive protein >10 mg/L;

4. sickle cell trait;

5. systolic blood pressure >180 or <90 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure >100 or <50 mm Hg;

6. heart rate <50 or >100;

7. temperature >99.5°F prior to donation;

8. temperature >100.4°F or subjective feeling of illness prior to 51-Chromium 24-hour RBC
recovery study (to avoid the subject having a concurrent illness that may affect
post-transfusion recovery);

9. positive results on standard blood donor infectious disease testing;

10. pregnancy;

11. taking, or planning to take, iron supplements; and

12. history of severe asthma requiring hospitalization, allergic eczema (atopic
dermatitis), or other atopic allergy causing anaphylaxis.