Regulation of lipid metabolism: a new strategy for platelet storage

Abstract

Transfusions of platelets are often used as prophylaxis in patients with hematologic malignancies and as treatment for active bleeding. However, platelets are in short supply due to the fact that they could only be kept for 5–7 days in vitro and they lose some of their functionality as a result of platelet storage lesions. To address this issue, refrigeration, cryopreservation and platelet additive solutions have been researched to determine their abilities to extend platelet storage duration. However, refrigerated platelets are quickly cleared after transfusion, while platelets in platelet additive solutions still present issues such as platelets quality and the risk of allergic reactions. Recent studies showed that changes in lipid metabolites during platelet storage and inadequate of fatty acid metabolism may also limit platelet shelf life and function. In this review, we address the principles of lipid metabolism during platelet storage and discuss the strategies for effective platelet storage systems. The findings of this review highlight the role of lipid metabolism during platelet storage, providing insights into future research focused on extending the preservation period and function of platelet.