Japanese researchers develop room-temperature storage artificial blood

Japanese researchers have developed artificial blood, a substitute for natural blood. It is second-generation universal artificial blood and can be transfused to any blood group without pre-storing it in the fridge.

This technology will one day close one of the largest gaps in emergency medicine: instant access to blood type. There is a global shortage of blood supply overall, as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This technology would be a financially highly rewarding device for the application of trauma medicine and may be applied in surgery as well as in the emergency department.

Japan's Nara Medical University is to conduct a clinical trial this year that will establish if donated blood and otherwise headed for the garbage bin after being used once can be recycled through being converted into synthetic red blood cells. Japan also dreams of being the first country to have artificial blood into real medical facilities in 2030 in case the trials do not turn out to be failures.

Since artificial blood is free from viruses and does not have the compatibility determinants (A, B, AB, or O blood groups), the blood can be transfused to any patient without cross-matching.

Artificial blood contains no viruses. The shelf life of artificial blood is as long as donated human blood.

Whereas the old blood has to be refrigerated and expires only weeks, this artificial blood can be kept years at room temperature and is therefore preferable to ship out to rural communities, following disasters, and even in times of war. 

HOW IT WORKS AND WHY IT MATTERS

It was designed by Japanese scientist Hiromi Sakai at Nara Medical University. The researchers created the medication by purifying haemoglobin, the protein that transports oxygen in red blood cells, from old donor blood. 

They injected it into small globular clumps of fat which are duplicating the natural size of the red blood cells so the haemoglobin will be released safely around the body without causing an immune system attack.

"If transfusion is urgent, transfusion waiting time exists because the patient's blood type needs to be confirmed," quotes The Japan Times interview with Hiromi Sakai. "Because artificial red blood cells fall outside of blood types, transfusion therapy can be provided instantaneously."

Since the process kills cells and other immune system stimulants that would trigger a reaction or infection spread, reaction or infection spread is virtually zero.

The technology is in clinical trial phases, though preliminary results are encouraging.

The synthetic blood will not be able to remove the cross-typing to be type O blood and will last for years, two at room temperature and five if preserved ice.

Whereas actual donated blood itself is only viable for 42 days or so, approximately a month or so.

Initial human trials, in 2022, were said to have been completed successfully administering the artificial blood to healthy subjects without side effects, and the trial is now at higher doses phase (100-400 millilitres) to test its efficacy and tolerance, according to a report by Tokyo Weekender.

If everything works out, it should appear on pharmacy and emergency room shelves at hospitals by 2030, where it's difficult to store and ship normal blood.

If things go smoothly, Japan's artificial blood not only will ease some of the pressure from blood banks, but provide lifesaving transfusions quicker and more easily, any type or device