General facts related to Plasma and its Donations

Human Plasma is a life saving substance which constitutes about 55 % of total human blood volume. This wonderful substance consists of various proteins, glucose, humans and carbon dioxide and is responsible for binding all the constituents of human blood and transporting of various substances throughout the human body. Being the substance of worth its scarcity in the body can lead to many diseases and infections so having adequate amounts of plasma in humans is necessary. If such scarce conditions occur it can be administered to the people which is in turn is collected from Plasma Donation done by healthy donors.

Plasma Donation is considered as a noble deed as by giving Human Plasma one can save many lives. The collected samples from its donations are synthesized into various medical therapies and vaccines which can be utilized to provide medications for people suffering from various chronic diseases. Surely, human plasma is one of the key blood components needed for modern medical practice.

Some of the general facts associated with this life saving substance and its donation are given here:

·         It is the liquid portion of blood and contains all the substances essential for normal blood clotting.

·         Anyone with 16 years of age  and above with a minimum body weight of 110 pounds can donate.

·         The human body replaces the donated amount within 24 - 48 hours. So donating will not decrease your strength. However, you may fell little dizziness and irritations for some time post the donations.

·         A donor can donate not more than 2 times in a week.

·         Plasma Donation is taken through a process called ‘Plasmapheresis’. The maximum time spent on the machine during this process may be 1 - 3 hours depending upon the patient’s weight, height and the amount that is being extracted.

·         All donors must go through a brief medical examination, medical history screening, and testing for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis before the donations. Once they are qualified then only they can donate.

·         On an average, a single donor gives about 0.8 liter per visit.

·         All the sample collection equipments are sterilized and used only once. So, there is no danger of transmitting any kind of infection or disease to the donors.

·         Each year in the U.S.A, around 11 million liters of plasma are donated.

·         20 million liters of samples are used worldwide every year to manufacture plasma protein therapies for patients with blood clotting disorders, immune deficiencies or autoimmune or neurological disorders.

·         It takes about 130 plasma donations to manufacture enough therapy to keep one patient with primary immune deficiency disease healthy for about 1 year.

·         Approximately 16,500 people in the U.S.A are affected by diseases like hemophilia which require Plasma protein therapies as a treatment.

·         Only 3% of people in the U.S.A have an AB-positive blood type who is the universal donor. And samples collected from them are mostly used in emergencies, for newborns and for patients requiring massive transfusions.

·         Frozen samples of this substance can be stored till about 1 year.

·         The #1 reason people go to Plasma Donation is to help others.

·         Two most common excuses made by people who do not donate are like ‘Never thought about it’ and ‘I don't like needles.’

These are some of the many facts related to Human plasma and plasma donations. By donating a little amount of your body plasma you can save many lives around the world. Though this process can be a bit painful but the life saving fact associated with it is far more than the amount of pain. So donate it and save lives!

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) as a biological product

Biological Products are generally derived from various living organisms like humans, animals, or microorganisms and then are synthesized by biotechnology methods and other medical technologies for developing drugs that can be further utilized for the treatment, prevention or cure of various diseases in humans. Biological Products are usually not fully characterized and are complex in structure. These substances are composed of sugars, proteins, or nucleic acids or complex combinations of all these substances along with several living bodies like cells and tissues.

Biological Products can be of any form of medical drug like a vaccine, blood or blood component, somatic cell, gene, tissue, recombinant therapeutic protein, or living cells that are used as therapeutic medicine to treat diseases in humans. These products are developed by biologic processes, rather than being chemically synthesized. There are a number of such products that are now easily available in the market in many distinct forms.

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) is also one of such Plasma Products, a sub form of Biological Products. It is the liquid portion of human blood that has been frozen and preserved after a blood donation and will be used for various medical purposes like blood transfusion etc.

The use of plasma and Plasma Products has evolved over a period of four decades. Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) is also one of the most used forms in the United States that can refer to the fluid portion of one unit of human blood that has been centrifuged, separated, and frozen solid at a temperature of −18 °C or more within eight hours of collection from a donor. These Plasma Products though can be preserved in many different forms at different temperatures and can be utilized for different purposes.

The transfused plasma products like FFP are effective for treatment of various deficiencies and diseases being the forefront of biomedical research are used to treat a variety of medical conditions for which no other treatments are available. However, other Plasma Products are not that efficacious for the treatment purposes. Evidence also indicates that other plasma components like single donor plasma may have adequate levels of coagulation factors and are suitable for patients with mild deficiencies of stable clotting factors and other multiple deficiencies in liver disease.

AS FFP contains all the major plasma proteins in it, it can be served as a supplement for plasma in humans. It contains both the labile as well as the stable components of the coagulation, fibrinolytic and complement systems along with the proteins that maintain oncotic pressure and modulate immunity in the human body. In addition to these FFP also constitute of several other biological substances like carbohydrates, fats and minerals at concentrated levels in their composition.

However like all the other Plasma Products, FFP’s also poses some risk factors or side effects. Some of the risk factors associated with this substance include anaphylactic reactions, disease transmission, excessive intravascular volume, alloimmunization, an increase in infections of the body. The potential viral infectivity of FFP is also similar as that of whole blood and red blood cells in the human body where minute disseminations can cause many complexities in the recipients. Also, in some cases hepatitis is also being traced post the transfusion. If any of the intravenous fluid is administered to the patient there will be a sudden hike in the FFP rate in the human blood and this excessive rate of FFP in human blood may result various medical conditions like hypervolemia and cardiac failure.

Gamma Globulin relevance in medical use

Human blood constitutes of many different substances that play a vital role in keeping the blood fresh and volatile. Blood proteins are also one of such protein found in blood plasma (component of blood) that are responsible of carrying out major body functions like transportation, regulation and to carry out smooth activities of immune system in the human body. The major blood proteins present in human plasma are Globulins, albumin, and fibrinogen. All the plasma proteins are synthesized in liver except for the Gamma Globulin, a sub type of globulin protein.

The globulins are a family of globular proteins that have higher molecular weights and water solubility values than the albumins. Some globulins are produced in the liver, while others are made by the immune system. The normal concentration of globulins in the blood is about 2.6-4.6 g/dL. Globulins are categorized into four categories Alpha 1, Alpha 2, Beta and Gamma Globulins and these can be distinguished from one another using the method of serum protein electrophoresis.

Here let’s discuss about the Human Immune Serum Globulins also called as Gamma globulin. They are also termed as immune globulins or antibodies constitute the major part of plasma globulin proteins. These types of globulins are produced by the mature B cells of the immune system and are used by the body's defense system against the foreign invaders like bacteria, infections and viruses. These globulins are further divided into five classes IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE. These globulins play a major role in defending the body against many external attacks so there necessity is crucial in the human body. But every individual must have normal range of Gamma Globulin present in their blood as decreased levels are indicative of an immune deficiency and elevated levels may lead to blood cancers like Multiple Myeloma and certain lymphomas.

Human Immune Serum Globulins or Gamma Globulin are extracted from the healthy donors and are preserved in liquid or powdered state to utilize them in aid to patients with lower level of immunity in their body. They are prescribed in many different forms as per the condition of the patient. There are many medical uses of these globulins which had developed today with latest advancement in technologies in medical world.

Some of the medical uses of Gamma Globulin:

Gamma globulin injections are usually given to the patients in an attempt to temporarily boost their immunity against various diseases or infections. As these globulins are the product derived from human blood, their injections along with blood transfusions and intravenous drug use can pass Hepatitis C to its recipients. Also, its therapy has proven to be a successful therapy for several medical conditions like hepatitis A, measles and the autoimmune disorder Kawasaki disease (abnormal inflammation of the blood vessels) in children. In addition to this gamma globulin therapy can make a kidney donor and recipient compatible regardless of blood and tissue match, and also can boost immunity for people who cannot produce gamma globulins naturally.

However, gamma globulin therapy comes along with a risk of negative side effects. Patients receiving this form of therapy may experience headache, backache, muscle or joint pain, and overall feelings of fatigue or illness. These effects decrease as the body becomes habituated to the therapy. According to researchers these may actually cause a stroke or heart attack in elderly patients with multiple risk factors. However, the Human Immune Serum Globulins packed with goodness can work wonders and act as a firewall against various immune deficiency diseases like HIV, AIDS and cancer etc.

Risks associated with Donating Plasma

Plasma is a vital substance of human blood that have many important functions associated with it like transportation of blood, preventing the human body against various infections and diseases, bleeding control and supply of various nutrients in the body. This substance also works wonders when it is extracted from the human blood and synthesized for making medicines and vaccines. Donating Plasma can benefit patients who need help in emergencies and critical situations like accidents and operations etc.

Donating Plasma not only benefits the recipients but also donors can profit by engaging in this donation act. Whenever a donor visits a donation center to give their donations they get paid for each of their sessions. These Plasma Donor Locations are paying the donors from $100 - $500 for each of their donation. However, the rates and terms differ with each location and medical body.

As plasma contains various nutrients, proteins and antibodies that can help the body to fight against various diseases its loss from the blood by Donating Plasma can have possible side effects. Though there are minimal complexities traced till date, all the Risks associated with Donating Plasma should be considered as well. Both the donors and as well the Plasma Donor Locations doctors must look for certain precautions before indulging in a donation.

Some of the precautions the donor must look into before going for a donation are given below:

·         The donor must have adequate rest before going for a donation. If the donor is tired it will imbalance his blood pressure levels which will affect the donation process.

·         They must be well hydrated prior to the session. Drink plenty of fluids before and after the donations will help.

·         They must have a healthy meal before going to the Plasma Donor Locations for giving their plasma. It is recommended to avoid red meat, fried foods and greasy items before the session as it can thicken your blood thus slowing down your donation process.

·         Should not consume alcohol if one is planning to donate plasma. They should also be away from drugs and addicts.

·         Must be healthy and must at least weight 110 pounds.

·         Should be 16 years and above.

·         Women should avoid frequent donations as who donate too often experience lower levels of hemoglobin in their blood.

·         Should not indulge in donating more than twice a week.

·         Must always visit a registered and professional Plasma Donor Locations. They must also make sure that the staff there is fully trained and can give a hassle free session with professional expertise.

·         Should consult a health care professional if any complications rise in the middle or after the donation.

·         Don’t forget to use the bathroom before you start to give plasma because you can’t stop the process in the middle.

·         Must clear the pre examination process to get eligible for donating.

The process of donating is same like donating blood. The only difference is that in this Plasmatherisis process the plasma is separated from the blood by a centrifuge, and then the blood is sent back to the donor's body. However taking needed precautions can help in simplifying the process and as well can rescue the donor from all the possible risk factors. There are no long term health risks of donating plasma as long as required steps are taken by the donor and the donation center. There will be a small mark on the arm where the needle was inserted, but this will disappear quickly if the liquid vitamin E is applied regularly on the area.