Abstract: A red blood cell storage composition includes a composition of red blood cells and biochemistry altering reagents, the biochemistry altering reagents being present at a concentration so as to reduce the percent hemolysis of the red blood cells during the freeze-thaw cycle below that of the percent hemolysis of the red blood cells in the absence the biochemistry altering reagents. The red blood cell storage composition preferably includes reagents selected from: modifiers of glycolytic/metabolic components, modifiers of antioxidant potential, effectors of intracellular ionic distribution, modifiers of membrane fluidity, modifiers of cytoskeletal structure, effectors of the cyclooxygenase second messenger pathway, effectors of the lipoxygenase second messenger pathway, effectors of the hexose monophosphate second messenger pathway, effectors of the phosphorylation second messenger pathway, modifiers of specific messenger molecules, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A red blood cell storage composition includes a composition of red blood cells and biochemistry altering reagents, the biochemistry altering reagents being present at a concentration so as to reduce the percent hemolysis of the red blood cells during the freeze-thaw cycle below that of the percent hemolysis of the red blood cells in the absence the biochemistry altering reagents. The red blood cell storage composition preferably includes reagents selected from: modifiers of glycolytic/metabolic components, modifiers of antioxidant potential, effectors of intracellular ionic distribution, modifiers of membrane fluidity, modifiers of cytoskeletal structure, effectors of the cyclooxygenase second messenger pathway, effectors of the lipoxygenase second messenger pathway, effectors of the hexose monophosphate second messenger pathway, effectors of the phosphorylation second messenger pathway, modifiers of specific messenger molecules, and combinations thereof.