Stress Hormones Released Pattern in Blood Donors and Its Impact on Blood Quality

Background and Objective: Blood transfusions are crucial medical procedures that can save lives. The release of stress hormones in the course of blood donation varies according to the characteristics of the donor and may render red cells vulnerable to haemolysis. This 24-month experimental study assessed the variation in donor characteristics on stress hormones release pattern and its influence on blood quality.

Materials and Methods: Serum levels of cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, were measured and association analysis with haemolytic markers (Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDH-A), free plasma haemoglobin, osmotic fragility test) assessed in 252 whole blood donors. Beside osmotic fragility that employed Dacie’s method, these markers were evaluated with Melsin ELISA tests techniques.

Results: Variation in donor characteristics affected catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) levels but not cortisol. Adrenaline values were predominant in male (p = 0.012), replacement donors (p = 0.009) and donors exceeding 10 minutes bleed duration (p = 0.02). Still, differences were observed with noradrenaline levels in replacement (p = 0.004), first time (p = 0.03), the non-counselled (p = 0.03) and donors with no knowledge of blood donation (p = 0.02). Significant associations were observed between stress hormones and haemolytic markers. Adrenaline influenced LDH-A (p = <0.001), free plasma haemoglobin (p = <0.001), and red cell osmotic fragility test (p = 0.05). Similar trends were observed in cortisol with plasma hemoglobin (p = <0.001) and LDH-A (p = 0.03), while noradrenaline affected plasma hemoglobin (p = <0.001).

Conclusion: Variation in donor characteristics caused fluctuation on adrenaline, noradrenaline but not with cortisol. Stress hormones predisposed red cell to haemolysis hence, low quality blood product. These may have detrimental implications on donor safety and inefficient transfusion outcome.