Pentoxifylline attenuates leukoreduced stored blood-induced neutrophil activation through inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases

Context: Transfusion of packed red blood cells is an independent risk factor for postoperative bacterial infections and multiple organ failure. Materials and Methods: Whole blood was obtained from healthy volunteers to investigate the role of mitogen associated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in PRBC-induced neutrophil respiratory burst, hypothesizing that the attenuating effects of pentoxifylline on this process are due to modulations in MAPK-associated signaling. Results: Pre-incubation of neutrophils with supernatant prior to fMLP stimulation increased p38 MAPK and ERK phosphorylation over fMLP alone pentoxifylline significantly reduced p38MAPK and ERK phosphorylation in similarly stimulated neutrophils. Conclusion: The addition of pentoxifylline stored red blood cells attenuates neutrophil activation.