The in vitro Effects of Griffonin and Ouabain on Erythrocyte Sodium Content Obtained from Normal Subjects and Sickle Cell Patients

Abstract

The in vitro effects of griffonin and ouabain on erythrocyte sodium content have been investigated in 6 normal subjects and 6 sickle cell patients. Intracellular sodium contents of normal or sickle cells incubated for 8 h in tris buffer, griffonin/tris buffer, or ouabain/tris buffer were determined. Incubation of normal cells in tris buffer or 0.5 mmol/l griffonin had little effect on the cell sodium content. However, 1.0 mmol/l griffonin/tris buffer raised the cell sodium level (P < 0.05) over the incubation period. Ouabain/tris buffer (0.5 mmol/l or 1.0 mmol/1) also raised the sodium content (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Incubation of sickle cells in tris buffer raised the cell sodium (P < 0.05) as did 0.5 mmol/l or 1.0 mmol/l griffonin (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Ouabain/tris buffer (0.5 mmol/l or 1.0 mmol/1) raised the intra-erythrocyte sodium level (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001). These findings suggest that ouabain and griffonin both have similar actions on intra-erythrocyte sodium content although ouabain was more potent. It is suggested therefore that griffonin could be a useful anti-sickling drug for sickle cell disease crisis.

Key words

Griffonin - ouabain - sickle cell disease - anti-sickling activity - intra-erythrocyte sodium content - intracellular sodium content - Griffonia simplificolia