A POTENTIAL BLOOD SUBSTITUTE FROM A TETRONIC POLYOL AND A MODIFIED HEMOGLOBIN

This investigation reports a new potential blood substitute. An acellular fluid is formed between a Tetronic polyol and a modified hemoglobin. It was possible to stabilize the hemoglobin with glutaric acid. The subsequent reaction with the alcohols of the Tetronic polyol resulted in a useful resuscitative fluid. Exchange transfusion experiments in rats was possible at the 75% replacement level with an excellent survival rate. This was apparently possible because of the effective transport properties of this material. Histological sections of the liver, kidney and lungs showed little or no permanent damage to the organs. The Tetronic polyol - modified hemoglobin complex was not excreted in the urine in contrast to the modified hemoglobin by itself and a solution of unmodified hemoglobin. These preliminary studies indicate that this combination of a polymer and modified hemoglobin has a potential use as a red cell substitute.