title: In vitro inhibitory effects of disodium cromoglycate on ionic transports involved in sickle cell dehydration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The antiallergic and antiasthmatic drug disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) has also demonstrated an activity against sickle cell disease, but the mechanism of this action still remains unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Na(+) and K(+) fluxes were studied in red cells obtained from 9 patients affected with sickle cell disease in the absence or in the presence of 1 mM of DSCG and deoxygenated under an N(2) flow during up to 24 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant inhibiting effect of DSCG on the intracellular K(+) exit and the Na(+) entry was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate that DSCG partially inhibits the abnormal K(+) loss which is implicated in the dehydration of the sickle cell and the stimulation of sickling.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Institut de Pharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium.
authors.forename: Léonidas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bizumukama
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferster
authors.forename: Béatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gulbis
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumps
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cotton
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood*; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003681:Dehydration; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D012964:Sodium; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D010100:Oxygen