Action of cetiedil citrate and oxpentifylline on deformability of sickle cells dehydrated by hyperosmolar stress

Abstract

The impaired deformability of sickle cells is a consequence of increased cytoplasmic viscosity secondary to cell dehydration and polymerization of haemoglobin S. Cetiedil citrate and oxpentifylline are potential anti-sickling agents that preserve intracellular cations and improve the deformability of sickle cells when they are dehydrated by ionophore-induced loss of intracellular K⁺ and water. When sickle cells from 19 patients were dehydrated by hyperosmolar stress, without inducing loss of cell cations, neither drug prevented the consequential reduction in cell filterability through 5 µm diameter pores. These drugs will not, therefore, prevent loss of water from erythrocytes in a hypertonic environment such as the renal medulla or ischaemic tissue. Preservation of erythrocyte K⁺ content would, however, maintain a higher reserve of cell cations and water to withstand hyperosmolar stress.