Artificial organs
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Human hemoglobin was pyridoxalated and subsequently coupled with the activated ester of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to provide an oxygen-carrying resuscitation fluid. The PEG conjugate of pyridoxalated hemoglobin (pyridoxalated PEG hemoglobin) has a longer half-life in the circulation (12.8 h) than does hemoglobin (2.2 h) when the solutions are exchange-transfused by approximately 60%. ⋯ The colloidal osmotic pressure and the viscosity were 36.5 +/- 2.4 mm Hg (n = 5) and 2.6 +/- 0.4 cp (n = 5), respectively. The results indicate that the pyridoxalated PEG hemoglobin solution has favorable properties for use as an oxygen-carrying resuscitation fluid.