Blood Substitutes

Introduction

Blood substitutes refer to artificial preparations that have the function of carrying oxygen, maintaining blood osmotic pressure and acid-base balance, and expanding blood volume. They are of great significance for emergency treatment in situations of blood shortage. With the increasingly serious blood contamination and the resulting spread of blood-borne diseases, as well as the existence of problems such as short shelf life of blood, shortage of blood due to insufficient healthy blood donors, and the necessity of blood group matching for blood transfusion, the research on blood substitutes has attracted worldwide attention. At present, one of the most widely used blood substitutes in clinical practice are perfluorocarbons. As an important class of organic fluorides, they have high density, weak intermolecular forces, low surface tension, low viscosity high fluidity, good thermal stability, good biocompatibility, chemical and biological inertness, and they are impermeability to rays and non-toxic. These characteristics make them have broad application prospects in the blood substitutes.

Advantages Of Perfluorocarbons In Blood Substitutes

Compared with human red blood cells, perfluorocarbon blood substitutes have overcome many defects and shortcomings. Their main advantages are as follows. First of all, perfluorocarbons can be directly chemically synthesized, the raw materials are easily available, the production process is simple, and the price is low. Secondly, their storage conditions are not high, they can be stored for a long time without deterioration, and they are not affected by their source and can avoid cross-infection. Thirdly, they avoid the spread of diseases caused by blood transfusions. They are suitable for any blood type, and solve the problem of incompatible blood types when blood transfusion is urgently needed.

Development Of Perfluorocarbons In Blood Substitutes

Since perfluorocarbons are difficult to dissolve in water, they need to be emulsified into soluble emulsions. The first generation of commercialized perfluorocarbon emulsion was first developed successfully by Japan's Green Cross Company. It consists of 14% (w/v) perfluorodecalin, 6% (w/v) perfluorotripropylamine, surfactants, egg yolk phospholipids and potassium oleate. Because it was not stable enough at room temperature, had poor efficacy, and had a short residence time in the blood, it was eventually discontinued. Subsequent research on perfluorocarbon emulsions focused on how to improve oxygen-carrying capacity and reduce toxicity. The first is to find new high-purity perfluorocarbons, which are required to be suitable for in vivo use, have good biocompatibility and in vivo elimination properties. The second is to extend the storage period by using perfluorocarbon stabilizers. The third is to increase the content of perfluorocarbons in perfluorocarbon emulsions to increase their oxygen-carrying capacity and avoid an increase in viscosity. For example, the oxygent perfluorocarbon emulsion developed by Alliance, a US company, contains 58% (w/v) perflubron, and 2% (w/v) perfluorocarbon stabilizer perfluorodecyl bromide is added, but it was discontinued due to side effects. Besides, the American company Hemagen has increased the content of perfluorocarbons in perfluorocarbon emulsions and developed perfluorocarbon emulsion Oxyfluor, which contains up to 76% (w/v) perfluoro-1,8-dichlorooctane and has entered preclinical research.

Alfa Chemistry provides various perfluorocarbons, which have a promising future in blood substitutes. We will offer the most suitable perfluorocarbons according to customer's detailed requirements. At the same time, we also offer product customization. Alfa Chemistry provides you with the most professional services and the most favorable prices to buy perfluorocarbons. Please don't hesitate to contact us.