SHIMIZU, T., ISHIKAWA, Y., FURUTA, A. and FUKUDA, T. Biochemical and Membrane Functional Alterations in Red Cells during Preparation and Storage of Leukocyte- and Platelet-Poor Red Cell Suspensions Prepared by Warm-Centrifuge Method. Tohoku J. exp. Med., 1985, 145 (3), 321-328 - A simple technique for effective removal of leukocytes and platelets from red blood cells (RBC) was reported. In that technique whole blood was incubated at 3°C. In its modified procedure phosphate buffer was added to the starting RBC. Changes in red cells during preparation and storage at 4°C of RBC suspensions were evaluated. Reconstituted RBC were incubated at 37°C for 1hr. After centrifugation, the lower compartment was separated with a special apparatus and diluted with 0.9% saline, which contained 78% red cells and 3% leukocytes and platelets of the starting RBC. In the incubation and subsequent preparation steps, 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate levels were decreased, but not adenosine triphosphate. One-day storage caused no serious metabolic changes in red cells. Red cell osmotic fragility was not changed throughout. RBC stored maintained sterility. The in vitro data indicate that red cells in leukocyte- and platelet-poor RBC suspensions processed with the warm-centrifuge method retained high biochemical and membrane functional abilities for 1 day.