Influence of Perfluorodecalin Content on the Properties of Blood Substitute

Abstract Blood is a vital part of our circulatory system. It is responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients, regulating body temperature, and fighting infections. However, any imbalances in blood composition or disruptions in the blood production process can affect the body’s overall functioning. Anemia is one of the most common blood diseases diagnosed worldwide. It is characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, which reduces the body’s ability to transport oxygen. To address this issue, researchers are developing blood substitutes with artificial oxygen carriers that can replace or support the natural function of red blood cells in oxygen transport. Perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carriers (PFCs) such as perfluorodecalin (PFD) are promising for treating severe blood disorders because they can deliver O2 to tissues in various conditions. PFCs have higher storage stability than other oxygen carriers due to their bilayer sphere structure. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of different concentrations of PFD (1%wt., 2%wt.) and storage time (7, 14, 21, 28 days) on the properties of blood substitutes, including its physicochemical (pH, surface tension, electrolytic conductivity, contact angle, redox potential, oxygen content) and rheological characteristics. The results show that the PFD concentration did not have a statistically significant effect on most of the tested properties, except for the oxygen content, which was higher for the 2%wt. solution after 28 days of incubation. The incubation time significantly impacts the change in surface tension, contact angle, redox potential, and oxygen content. The obtained results are essential due to the use of perfluorodecalin in medicine as an oxygen carrier.