Red Blood Cell Substitute Shows Promise

Canadian researchers said a mouse study suggested a red blood cell substitute based on human hemoglobin might lead to new sickle cell disease treatments.

The scientists — led by Dr. Mark Crawford of the Hospital for Sick Children at the University of Toronto — said a newly developed hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier called HRC 101 dramatically improved survival in mice with sickled red blood cells exposed to low-oxygen conditions.

Patients with sickle cell disease need frequent blood transfusions to treat anemia and other complications, the researchers noted. Although such transfusions are beneficial, they have several short- and long-term risks.

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers are red cell substitutes that can be used to increase oxygen-carrying capacity and intravascular volume, the researchers wrote. They said HRC 101 might be useful in the management of sickle cell disease because of its potential to allow more oxygen to reach organs and tissues.

The scientists, however, said while animal studies are considered basic science, findings from such studies don’t always translate to the complex physiological system of human beings.

The research is presented in the August issue of the journal Anesthesiology.