Prostaglandin e 2 ‐hemoglobin AA and SS erythrocyte interaction (prostaglandin‐erythrocyte interaction)

Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ), at concentrations ≥ 5 × 10 4 ng/ml, induced discocyte → echinocyte transformation of saline‐suspended hemoglobin (Hb) AA and SS erythrocytes. This erythrocyte transformation is concentration‐dependent and is reversible at room temperature after 90–120 min. The Hb SS erythrocytes treated with PGE 2 did not exhibit accelerated sickling or increased formation of sickled echinocvtes. Erythrocytes suspended in autologous plasma treated with PGE 2 , 2 × 10 6 ng/ml, did not exhibit echinocytic transformation probably because of drug binding to the plasma proteins. Other in vitro studies showed that PGE 2 of concentrations of 10–500 ng/ml had no adverse effects on intact, plasma‐suspended Hb SS erythrocytes. These Hb SS erythrocytes were examined for changes in morphology, potassium and calcium flux, and blood viscosity under oxygenated and hypoxic conditions.