Impaired tissue oxygenation in cyanate-treated animals

Carbamylation of red cells with sodium cyanate has been suggested as a potential treatment for sickle cell disease. Because carbamylation of red cells increases their oxygen affinity, the present study was done to determine whether cyanate administration caused impaired tissue oxygenation. Rats given i.p. (250 mg/kg/wk) or oral (625 mg/kg/wk) cyanate were found to have significantly reduced skin bubble oxygen tensions compared to controls. These reduced oxygen tensions were associated with significantly increased blood oxygen affinity. Treated animals developed greater red cell masses than controls, but these increases were not sufficient to compensate for increased blood oxygen affinity. These findings need to be considered when cyanate is used for treatment of sickle cell disease.