What is the purpose of rejuvenating a unit of Red Blood Cells?

The purpose of rejuvenating a unit of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) is primarily to restore 2,3-DPG and ATP to normal levels. During storage, RBCs undergo metabolic changes that lead to the depletion of these critical components. 2,3-DPG (2,3-diphosphoglycerate) is essential for oxygen release from hemoglobin to the tissues, while ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is crucial for maintaining cell viability and membrane integrity.

When RBCs are stored for extended periods, the levels of 2,3-DPG and ATP decrease, which can diminish the cells' ability to effectively deliver oxygen to tissues. Rejuvenation involves treating the stored RBC unit with a specific solution that allows the RBCs to resynthesize these components, thereby restoring their functionality and improving their performance after transfusion. This process is vital for enhancing the oxygen-carrying capacity and overall efficacy of the transfused blood.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary goal of rejuvenation. Removing antibodies attached to RBCs relates more to different processes, such as washing or adsorption, and while inactivating viruses and bacteria is important for blood safety, it is not the objective of rejuvenation. Additionally