In vitro effects of hyperbaric oxygen on sickle cell morphology

To determine in vitro whether hyperbaric oxygen has any effect on the morphology of sickle cells.

Prospective, in vitro, study, with each patient sample serving as its own control.

University medical center.

10 children known to be homozygous for hemoglobin S.

Blood samples were obtained from 10 children during routine visits to the University sickle cell clinic. Blood samples were exposed to room air to achieve maximal sickling. Each sample was divided into control and study aliquots, and the study portions placed in a research hyperbaric chamber with 100% oxygen at 3 atmospheres absolute pressure for 15 min. Then smears were prepared from all samples at regular intervals and examined by technicians in the sickle cell clinic who were blinded as to the details of this study.

Percentages of normal cells, sickle cells and sickle forms were reported. Data were interpreted using t-tests.

Hyperbaric oxygen appeared to have no effect on sickle cell morphology. Percentages of each cell type were unaffected by hyperbaric oxygen exposure.

Hyperbaric oxygen appears to have no effect on the morphology of sickle cells in vitro. Other mechanisms may account for the beneficial clinical effects of hyperbaric oxygen in sickle cell crisis, although in vivo studies are warranted.