Effects of oxpentifylline on erythrocyte cation content, hydration, and deformability

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Bilto, Y.Y.^{a; b} | Player, M.^{a; b} | West, M.J.^{a; b} | Ellory, J.C.^{a; b} | Stuart, J.^{a; b; *}

Affiliations: [a] Departments of Haematology and Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TJ, UK | [b] Department of Physiology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OXl 3PT, UK

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Professor J. Stuart, Department of Haematology, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TJ.

Note: [] Accepted by: Editor J.A. Dormandy

Abstract: Three ionophores (A23187, valinomycin, and nystatin) were used in vitro to induce loss of K+ and water from human erythrocytes, thus causing cell dehydration with an increase in mean cell haemoglobin concentration and loss of filterability through pores of 5 µm diameter. Oxpentifylline (1 µmol/l, 10 µmol/l, 100 µmol/l, and 5 mmol/l) showed a concentration-dependent protective effect, reducing the loss of erythrocyte K+ and water and decreasing loss of filterability. This rheological action was independent of erythrocyte ATP and incubation temperature (18, 25 or 37°C). Erythrocyte dehydration is an important determinant of deformability so that membrane binding drugs that alter cation flux and maintain cell hydration are of considerable rheological interest.

Keywords: Rheology, Erythrocyte deformability, Oxpentifylline, Ion channels

DOI: 10.3233/CH-1987-7401

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 561-577, 1987