Red blood cell storage increases hypoxia-induced nitric oxide bioavailability and methemoglobin formation in vitro and in vivo

Background In this study we investigated whether storage of red blood cells (RBCs) leads to alterations in nitrite reductase activity, hence in altered hypoxia-induced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and methemoglobin formation. Study Design and Methods Hypoxia-induced NO bioavailability and methemoglobin formation were measured in vitro after nitrite administration to fresh (