Erythrocyte Destruction in Sickle-Cell Anemia

Abstract

Summary

1. Study of erythrocyte destruction in sickle-cell anemia by analysis of hemin N¹⁵ disappearance and fecal stercobilin N¹⁵ appearance after a 1 g dose of N¹⁵-glycine indicates a completely random destruction of circulating red cells. 2. This individual's cells had a half-life of 11 days indicating a turnover rate of 6.3% per day with a mean survival time of approximately 16 days. 3. There was no evidence of more than one population of cells. 4. Comparison with a similar study by London and coworkers shows a similar clinical condition but a physiological state twice as active, and further suggests still unknown factors involved in the destruction of circulating red cells in this type of hemolytic anemia.