Action of piracetam on cation flux and deformability of sickle cells

Abstract

Piracetam (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide) has been reported to have a beneficial rheological effect on sickle cells although its mode of action has remained unclear. When the Ca²⁺-ionophore A23187 was used to induce loss of K⁺ and water from sickle cells from 20 patients, the consequential loss of erythrocyte filterability through pores of 5 µm diameter was partially corrected by piracetam at concentrations of 0.1-100 mmol/l (p < 0.002 - < 0.02). No beneficial effect of piracetam was found when sickle cells were dehydrated using the K⁺ ionophore valinomycin. Piracetam therefore prevents cation (K⁺) loss, via the Gardos channel, from Ca²⁺-loaded erythrocytes and may thereby inhibit the dehydration of sickle cells.