128 - Nicotine, and Heavy Metals in Donor blood (NiHMD) Nicotine, and Heavy Metals in Donor blood (NiHMD)

Poster Number: 128
Publication Number: 128.108

Raja R. Nandyal, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, EDMOND, OK, United States; Doaa Atwi, Oklahoma Childrens Hospital at OU Health, The Village, OK, United States; Abhishek Makkar, Oklahoma Childrens Hospital at OU Health, Oklahoma City, OK, United States; Jeffrey V. Eckert, OUHSC, Oklahoma City, OK, United States; Jolyn Fernandes, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, OK, United States

Background: During their neonatal intensive care unit stay, high risk infants receive multiple transfusions. 50% of extremely low birth weight infants will receive at least 1 transfusion during their first two weeks. This extremely vulnerable population during their prolonged stay experience unique problems contributing to major morbidity and mortality. In US, there are no recommendations for routine screening of the donated blood and blood products for heavy metals and nicotine products. To address the knowledge gap of the presence of heavy metals, nicotine products and other chemical contents of donated blood and blood products, may have a contributing role in our patients’ morbidity and mortality, our multidisciplinary team has designed this observational study.

Objective: 1. To assess for the presence of 24 common heavy metals and nicotine bi-products (Qualitative) in our donors’ blood.
2: To measure each of the tested metals and nicotine bi-products (quantitative), and compare (variance) with US EPA approved levels.

Design/Methods: Blood was collected and processed as per our State Blood Institute Protocol. Two to 3 segments were collected from each unit and contents of segments were transferred to a BD Vacutainer® SPC Plus plastic tube for Trace Element Testing (BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ) using a  SEG-SAFE™ Segment processor (Alpha Scientific Corp, Exton, PA).  Samples were stored at -20 degrees centigrade until processed for heavy metal content.
Quantification of 24 metals in the blood samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry- Briefly 100uL blood samples with internal standards were subjected to wet acid digestion at high temperature using nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Each sample was diluted and ran as technical replicates using Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ TQe ICP-MS, in collision cell mode using kinetic energy dissociation. For each metal a linear curve was established ranging from 0-64ppb.
One Red Blood cell segment was used to quantify cotinine levels by ELISA (CalBioTech, El Cajon CA) according to the manufacture’s recommendations.

Results: Eleven percent of the BRC segments were positive for cotinine at levels greater then 10ng/ml, which is consistent with current smoking. 
Preliminary studies on human blood samples showed presence of heavy metals such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and tungsten (W) in addition to nutritionally relevant metals.Conclusion(s): The percent of cotinine positive RBC segments is consistent with what others have reported. Future studies include quantification and comparison of blood metals and cotinine levels.