The P₅₀ value detected by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser and blood gas analyser

Abstract

Oxygen tension at 50% haemoglobin saturation (P₅₀), which reflects the degree of peripheral oxygen offloading and tissue oxygenation, plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, as well as in transfusion research. Blood gas analysers are commonly used in clinical and obtain P₅₀ values through complex calculations and analysis. Oxygenation-dissociation analysers are specially designed to record the oxygen dissociation curves and obtain P₅₀ values of whole blood, red blood cells (RBCs), and stroma-free haemoglobin. However, whether the two equipment obtain comparable data is still uncertain. Herein, we used both equipment to detect P₅₀ values of blood and stroma-free haemoglobin from human and bovine sources, venous and arterial blood of beagle and rat, and stored rat blood. For human blood, both analysers yielded similar data. P₅₀ of the stroma-free haemoglobin and bovine blood could only be properly detected by oxygenation-dissociation analysers. Blood gas analysers showed different P₅₀ values, while oxygenation-dissociation analysers got similar P₅₀ values for arterial and venous samples. Oxygenation-dissociation analysers distinguished changes in P₅₀ values during RBCs storage. Compared with the blood gas analysers, oxygenation-dissociation analysers had a stronger detection capability in P₅₀ measurement with regard to both sample types and species.

Keywords:

• Red blood cells
• haemoglobin
• blood-gas analyser
• oxygenation-dissociation analyser
• P50

Introduction

Haemoglobin oxygen affinity, which is conveniently characterised in terms of the oxygen tension at 50% saturation (P₅₀), governs O₂ binding between pulmonary alveoli or other gas exchange surfaces and the blood, thereby controlling release in peripheral tissues [1]. Understanding how P₅₀ changes will contribute to the study of haemoglobin and haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs), as well as clinical research for drug development and transfusion.

P₅₀ has been widely used in the study of haemoglobin structure and function. The cooperative effect of haemoglobin relies heavily on P₅₀ and the oxygen-dissociation curve (ODC) [2]. In addition, P₅₀ is widely used in the study of abnormal haemoglobin and treated as an important sign of disease. Excessive P₅₀ values, for example of haemoglobin Titusville or Kansas, may worsen hypoxaemia in the setting of acute lung injury [3]. Hereditary erythrocytosis is closely related to high-oxygen-affinity haemoglobin variants, which are associated with left-shifted ODCs (decreased P₅₀) [4]. Thus, P₅₀ is an important indicator and should be brought into clinical diagnosis.

Previous studies of HBOCs refer to different P₅₀ values, such as polymerised bovine haemoglobin (P₅₀ = 54 mmHg) [5], tetrameric cross-linked human haemoglobin (P₅₀ = 33 mmHg) [6], and PEGylated human haemoglobin (P₅₀ = 5 mmHg) [7]. Thus, researchers are exploring the effects of different P₅₀ values on indications and effects of HBOCs. Different products of HBOCs in P₅₀ have different indications, which should be selected in combination with clinical indications [8–11].

The P₅₀ value, which changes significantly with the pH, pO₂, and pCO₂, plays significant roles in oxygen capture by the human lungs and other pulmonary functions. Haemoglobin possesses higher oxygen affinity (lower P₅₀) to capture more oxygen in alkaline pulmonary alveolar capillary while the haemoglobin’s oxygen affinity might be rapidly reduced (higher P₅₀) in acidic microenvironment such as muscle or brain capillary, which facilitates the oxygen unloading to tissue [12].

Many researchers are looking for substances capable of alleviating or curing disease via regulation of haemoglobin oxygen affinity. GBT1118, a potential drug for the improvement of tissue oxygenation in pulmonary diseases characterised by severe hypoxaemia, works by binding to haemoglobin to produce a concentration-dependent decreased P₅₀ and increased arterial oxygen loading [13–15]. Voxelotor (GBT440) in Phase 3, is an oral drug that modulates Hb affinity for oxygen, thereby inhibiting HbS (Sickle haemoglobin) polymerisation and the resultant sickling of RBCs. Multiple doses of voxelotor in SCD patients from 500 to 1000 mg daily resulted in dose-dependent pharmacodynamic effects, with a dose-dependent increase in Hb-oxygen affinity (decreased P₅₀) [16,17].

Myoinositol trispyrophosphate (ITPP) is a novel investigational drug (approved for Phase I and II clinical use in humans) for tumour treatment; one of its main therapeutic mechanisms is regulating P₅₀. It was found to reverse hypoxia in rodents with pancreatic tumours by increasing P₅₀ [18,19].

P₅₀ is critical to reflect RBCs storage lesion. During blood storage, a series of biochemical and structural changes occur, causing damage [20,21]. In particular, the oxygen-carrying ability of RBCs decreases significantly. Reportedly, P₅₀ values of both whole blood and suspended RBCs decrease significantly during the first 3 weeks of storage [22]. However, the use of rejuvenation methods to increase P₅₀ could improve oxygen release by stored RBCs [23,24].

To date, two types of equipment have been used to obtain P₅₀ values. Blood gas analysers are frequently used in the clinics to detect and export many parameters about blood, including P₅₀ values. However, P₅₀ values exported by blood gas analysers need further clarification. In addition, P₅₀ values can be detected via spectrophotometric methods [25]. The ODC of haemoglobin was recorded using a UV-V spectrophotometer. Deoxygenated haemoglobin was obtained by repeated evacuations and flushing with argon gas (99.99%). A small amount of air was added gradually to deoxygenated haemoglobin before measuring absorption spectra from 450 to 650 nm. The P₅₀ value and Hill’s cooperativity coefficient (n value) were then calculated from ODC and Hill plots, respectively [26]. Oxygenation-dissociation analysers are based on the above principles and specially designed to detect P₅₀ values and parameters reflecting oxygen affinity. This method, however, is not easy to perform; it has only been used in research laboratories, and not been implemented clinically [27].

Whether the P₅₀ value from blood gas analysers and the oxygenation-analysers are comparable, and whether they can be applied in different samples, are still uncertain. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated P₅₀ values of human and bovine blood and haemoglobin solutions, as well as venous blood and arterial blood of beagle and rat, and the stored rat blood. We clarify the accuracy and application range of an oxygenation-dissociation analyser by comparing its results with a blood gas analyser.

Materials and methods

Ethical considerations

All experimental procedures were approved by the Laboratory Animal Centre of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences (Beijing, China). The research protocol adhered to institutional guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals.

Sample preparation

Blood and haemoglobin of human and bovine

Whole human blood was withdrawn via the median cubital vein of volunteers. A 4-ml sample of blood was placed in a heparin-coated anticoagulation tube (Kangjian Medical Apparatus, Jiangsu, China), while 50 ml of blood was mixed with a solution of citrate phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA-1; Sigma Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA). All samples were stored at 4 °C. Bovine whole blood was withdrawn via the carotid vein of cattle (Beijing Created Biotechnology, Beijing, China), mixed with CPDA-1, and stored at 4 °C. Next, human haemoglobin (hHb) and bovine haemoglobin (bHb) were purified from whole blood mixed with CPDA-1 by anion-exchange chromatography, as previously described [28–30]. Haemoglobin solutions were prepared at a concentration of 5 g/dL. After filtration through a 0.22-mm polyether sulphone filter, solutions were stored at −80 °C.

Beagle venous and arterial blood

Healthy male beagles (10–12 kg; Beijing Created Biotechnology, Beijing, China) were anaesthetised with pentobarbital sodium (Beijing Chemical Agent, Beijing, China) to establish an arteriovenous access in the right lower extremity. Next, 1 ml of arterial blood and 1 ml of venous blood were withdrawn and immediately used for experiments.

Fresh and stored rat blood

Healthy male Wistar rats (220–260 g; Vital River, Beijing, China) with ad libitum access to food and water were anaesthetised by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg sodium pentobarbital sodium, placed in the supine position on a warming pad (TMS-202, Softron Biotechnology, Beijing, China), with temperature maintained at 37 ± 0.1 °C. The carotid artery, right femoral artery, and right femoral vein were cannulated.

Heparin (400 U/kg; Chinese Medicine Group Chemical Agent, Beijing, China) was administered via the carotid artery to inhibit coagulation. Blood was withdrawn individually from the femoral artery and femoral vein.

Blood collection and storage were performed as previously described by Wang et al. [31]. Briefly, blood was withdrawn via the carotid artery and mixed with CPDA-1 to yield a final concentration of 14% CPDA-1. Blood was leukoreduced by passage through a leukoreduction filter (BengBu Medical College, BengBu, China), centrifuged for 15 min at 400 × g to remove the supernatant, and stored at 4 °C.

Equipment

Samples were analysed using a blood gas analyser (ABL90 FLEX, Radiometer, Brønshøj, Denmark) [32,33] and an oxygenation-dissociation analyser (BLOODOX-2018 Analyser, Softron Biotechnology, Beijing, China) as shown in Figure 1(a). BLOODOX-Solution buffer includes 130 mM NaCl (Chinese Medicine Group Chemical Agent, Beijing, China), 30 mM TES (Sigma Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA) and 5 mM KCl (Chinese Medicine Group Chemical Agent, Beijing, China), at pH 7.4 ± 0.01.

Figure 1. BLOODOX-2018 Analyser equipment prototype diagram (a), ODC with human blood samples mixed with heparin (b).

P₅₀ measurement

Blood gas analyser

Samples were sealed in a 1 ml syringe and analysed according to the standard instrument operation. The blood gas analyser calculated the P₅₀ value primarily according to the following formula (1). However, there are special cases in the series of calculations. If one or more default values have been used in the calculation, the result may deviate significantly from the true value. The deviation on “estimated” oxygen status parameters then, might become particularly significant if default values are used instead of measured blood oximetry data. In some cases, however, the default value is not accepted as the input for the calculation. This is because the actual values of the missing parameter may deviate significantly from the default value, thus making the estimation clinically inappropriate. (1) $${\mathrm{P}}_{50}=\frac{\mathrm{P}}{1+\frac{\mathrm{FCOHb}}{0.5\times (1\hspace{0.17em}-\hspace{0.17em}\mathrm{F}\text{COHb}\hspace{0.17em}-\hspace{0.17em}\mathrm{F}\text{MetHb}\mathrm{)}}}$$(1)

Table

P	ODC (S, A, T)
S	$$\mathrm{S}=\frac{0.5\times (1\hspace{0.17em}-\hspace{0.17em}\mathrm{F}\text{COHb}\hspace{0.17em}-\hspace{0.17em}\mathrm{F}\text{MetHb}\mathrm{)}+\mathrm{F}\text{COHb}}{1-\mathrm{F}\text{MetHb}}$$
A	A = arterial blood
T	T = 37 ^oC

Bloodox-2018 analyser

Three milligrams of haemoglobin or an equal volume of RBCs were used to calculate haemoglobin content according to formula (2) after dilution in 4 ml of BLOODOX-Solution buffer mixed with 20 μL bovine serum albumin (A7034, Sigma Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA), and 20 μL of anti-foaming agent (Sigma Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA). The sample-buffer was drawn into a cuvette, equilibrated and brought to 37 °C, and oxygenated to 100% with air at the same time. After adjustment of the pO₂ value, the sample was deoxygenated with nitrogen. A Clark oxygen electrode was used to detect changes of oxygen tension during the deoxygenation process on the x-axis of an x-y recorder, while the deoxyhemoglobin fraction was simultaneously monitored by dual-wavelength spectrophotometry at 560 and 570 nm, and displayed on the y-axis. Finally, the ODC was automatically recorded on graph paper, as shown in Figure 1(b). The P₅₀ value was extrapolated on the x-axis as the point at which O₂ saturation is 50%. (2) $$\mathrm{Volume}\mathrm{ }\left(\text{μL}\right)=\frac{3\mathrm{mg}}{\mathrm{ctHb}}(\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{dL})\mathrm{ }\times 100$$(2)

Statistical analysis

Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.2 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). All data are consistent with a normal distribution. Differences between groups were analysed using a t-test or paired t-test. Changes were considered statistically significant if p < .05.

Results

P₅₀ value detection of human and bovine blood and haemoglobin

As shown in Figure 2(a), the average P₅₀ value of human heparin-anticoagulated venous blood detected by the blood-gas analyser was 25.42 ± 0.81 mmHg, while the oxygenation-dissociation analyser yielded an average value of 23.83 ± 2.96 mmHg. There was no statistical difference between these values (paired t-test, p > .05). As shown in Figure 2(b), the average P₅₀ value of bovine venous blood detected by the blood gas analyser was 43.92 ± 2.72 mmHg, while the oxygenation-dissociation analyser yielded a value of 35.30 ± 0.48 mmHg, which was statistically significant (p < .05).

Figure 2. P₅₀ value detection of human (a) and bovine (b) blood by blood gas analyser and oxygenation-dissociation analyser. P₅₀ value detection of human (c) and bovine (d) blood and purified haemoglobin solution by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser. P₅₀ value detection of blood (e) and purified haemoglobin (f) of human and bovine.

After purification, the P₅₀ of hHb solutions was 18.55 ± 0.39 mmHg and could only be evaluated by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser, as shown in Figure 2(c). Moreover, there was a statistical difference between the human blood and hHb (p < .05). Upon testing with the blood gas analyser, the P₅₀ value could not be calculated. The same result occurred for bHb solutions, as shown in Figure 2(d). After purification, the average P₅₀ of bHb solutions was 29.75 ± 2.37 mmHg and could only be evaluated by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser. As shown in Figure 2(e–f), P₅₀ values of both human blood and haemoglobin were lower than that of bovine, and there was a statistical difference between them.

P₅₀ value detection of arterial and venous whole blood from beagle and rat

As shown in Figure 3(a), P₅₀ values of beagle arterial and venous blood as detected by the blood-gas analyser were 28.21 ± 1.32 mmHg and 37.60 ± 4.80 mmHg, respectively. There was a statistical difference between these values (p < .05). However, there was no statistical difference (p > .05) between P₅₀ values detected by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser, 46.47 ± 1.20 mmHg and 44.61 ± 0.36 mmHg, respectively.

Figure 3. P₅₀ value detection of arterial (A) and venous (V) blood from beagle (a), P₅₀ value detection arterial (A) and venous (V) blood from rat (b) and stored rat RBCs (c). The ODC of stored rat RBCs (d).

As shown in Figure 3(b), P₅₀ values of rat arterial and venous blood as detected by the blood gas analyser were 41.72 ± 2.99 mmHg and 47.17 ± 5.68 mmHg, respectively. There was a statistical difference between these values (p < .05). However, the P₅₀ values of rat arterial and venous blood detected by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser were 57.09 ± 4.25 mmHg and 56.48 ± 4.13 mmHg, respectively (p > .05).

P₅₀ value detection of stored rat RBCs

As shown in Figure 3(c), P₅₀ values of stored rat RBCs, as detected by the blood gas analyser at 1, 3, and 7 days, were 62.13 ± 3.07 mmHg, 63.72 ± 4.35 mmHg, and 64.34 ± 2.94 mmHg, respectively(p > .05). Values detected by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser were 51.16 ± 0.71 mmHg, 42.92 ± 2.29 mmHg, and 30.99 ± 0.60 mmHg, respectively (p < .05). Obviously, values detected by the blood-gas analyser did not change, while those detected by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser showed a rapid and significant downward trend.

Discussion

Both the blood-gas analyser and oxygenation-dissociation analyser could detect P₅₀ values. However, the results showed a difference, likely because the testing principles of the two equipment are different. P₅₀ values determined by the blood-gas analyser are based on the reference P₅₀ value of humans under standard conditions. This reference value is 3.578 kPa (26.8 mmHg) and the standard condition is defined as temperature = 37 °C, pH 7.4, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO₂) = 5.33KPa, fraction of carboxyhaemoglobin (FCOHb) = 0, fraction of methaemoglobin (FMetHb) = 0, fraction of foetal haemoglobin (FHbF) = 0, and concentration of diphosphoglycerate (cDPG) = 5 mmol/L. The actual P₅₀ value is calculated according to the values of parameters such as pCO₂, the partial pressure of oxygen (pO₂), saturation of oxygen (sO₂), FCOHb, FMetHb, and FHbF. If the blood gas analyser fails to gain some of the required parameters, the P₅₀ value cannot be accurately calculated.

Determination of P₅₀ values by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser is based on dual-wavelength spectrophotometry to measure the sO₂ of Hb, and a Clark electrode to measure pO₂ in the process of oxygenation/deoxygenation. Measurements were carried out at 37 °C and pH 7.4. P₅₀ values are calculated using the ODC. Therefore, the oxygenation-dissociation analyser is capable to test whole blood, RBCs, haemoglobin solutions, and HBOCs. The present results provide some important details regarding these methods.

The oxygenation-dissociation analyser could detect P₅₀ values of blood from human and other species

The P₅₀ value of human blood reported by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser was similar to that of the blood-gas analyser and close to the reference value [34]. This provides sufficient evidence that the oxygenation-dissociation analyser can accurately detect P₅₀ values. Furthermore, the P₅₀ value of bovine whole blood exported by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser was close to the reference value [35]. However, P₅₀ values from the blood gas analyser deviated from the reference value significantly. This likely occurred because the blood gas analyser is prepared to detect natural whole blood of human, and the characteristics of bovine blood are different from that of human blood. For example, bHb shares 85% similarity with hHb according to sequence alignment [36]. Moreover, the P₅₀ of bHb is not primarily regulated by 2,3-DPG, but is instead highly sensitive to chloride ions (Cl⁻) [37]. These unique characteristics lead them to possess different oxygen affinities with reference P₅₀ values of 26.60 mmHg and 30 mmHg for human and bovine RBCs, respectively [38–40]. Therefore, the P₅₀ value measured by blood gas analyser is accurate for human blood, but inaccurate for blood from other species if their blood shows different characteristics from human blood. In contrast, the oxygenation-dissociation analyser was capable of better detecting the P₅₀ values of other animals, if their haemoglobin has similar visible light spectrum as human.

The oxygenation-dissociation analyser could obtain P₅₀ value of stroma free haemoglobin

The P₅₀ of purified stroma-free haemoglobin could only be accurately evaluated by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser. During testing with the blood-gas analyser, many parameters including pCO₂, which is the main parameter used to calculate P₅₀ value, were different from the reference value of the equipment significantly. Thus, the blood gas analyser failed to accurately detect the P₅₀ value of stroma-free haemoglobin. Notably, P₅₀ values of stroma-free haemoglobin detected by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser were lower than that of corresponding whole blood because of a lack of appropriate regulation by 2,3-DPG [41].

The oxygenation-dissociation analyser could detect P₅₀ values independent of the different blood gases between arterial and venous blood

Arterial and venous blood results from beagles and rats showed statistically significant differences in blood gas analyser detection. Indeed, pH, pO₂, and pCO₂ are significantly different between arterial and venous blood. The P₅₀ value is affected by protons and CO₂ (which enhance O₂ release in metabolising tissues via the Bohr effect), the red cell organic phosphate 2,3-DPG, and Cl⁻ [36]. According to the principles of the blood gas analyser, differences in pH, pCO₂, and other possible parameters produce different P₅₀ values between arterial and venous blood. Therefore, detection with the blood gas analyser could indicate transient P₅₀ values under some certain states, as this temporary P₅₀ value changes reversibly with circulation, it cannot be regarded as characteristic of haemoglobin. The P₅₀ values from arterial and venous get similar data by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser. And it obtains the P₅₀ values by simulating the oxygenation/deoxygenation process of gas exchange in physiological conditions, thus reflecting the characteristic of haemoglobin.

Experimental procedures were found to affect P₅₀ measurements, including anaesthesia, anticoagulation, experimental season, sample preparation, etc. [42,43]. In the present study, we did not use anticoagulant components for beagle RBCs, which may result in higher values compared with previous literature [44].

Changes of P₅₀ values during RBCs storage were distinguished by the oxygenation-dissociation analyser

Changes in oxygen affinity of RBCs with storage time have been verified in many studies in the literature [45,46]. In this study, the oxygenation-dissociation analyser can distinguish changes of P₅₀ values during RBCs storage, while the blood gas analyser failed to reflect the changes.

Firstly, the blood gas analyser is only recommended for the detection of fresh heparin-anticoagulated samples. Concentrations of pO₂, pCO₂, sO₂, and 2,3-DPG in RBCs suspension changed gradually during storage because of storage lesion. Furthermore, CPDA-1, which contains citric acid, sodium citrate, glucose, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, and adenine, accelerate changes of pH and pCO₂, which may disturb P₅₀ measurement by blood gas analyser.

During the measurement of stored RBCs, some parameters, such as FCOHb and FMetHb, could not be detected by the blood gas analyser. According to the principles of blood gas analysis, default values (e.g. for FCOHb = 0.4% and FMetHb = 0.4%) are used to calculate the P₅₀ value when such parameters could not be obtained. Thus, the blood gas analyser reports a P₅₀ value based on these default values, which do not reflect the changed oxygen affinity during storage.

Conclusion

First, both the equipment can detect the P₅₀ values of human blood. The oxygenation-dissociation analyser can detect P₅₀ value from different species with similar visible light spectrum as human blood. Second, the oxygen-dissociation analyser could obtain P₅₀ values of stroma free haemoglobin. Third, it could detect P₅₀ values as characteristics of haemoglobin independent of differences in blood gas between arterial and venous blood. Finally, it can reflect changing P₅₀ value during RBCs storage. Compared with blood gas analyser, the oxygenation-dissociation analyser had stronger detection capability in P₅₀ measurement with regard to both sample type and species.

Limitation

The P₅₀ value may be affected by a variety of factors, such as anticoagulants, anaesthetics, experimental season, ambient temperature, age and status of the animal, etc. Further research is needed in the future.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Key R&D Programme of China [No. 2018YFC1106503] and National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 81700181 and No. 81903079].