Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry
Published on: November 5, 2019
Therapeutic strategies to alter the oxygen affinity of sickle hemoglobin
Martin K Safo1, Gregory J Kato2
1Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Structural Biology and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E. Leigh Street, P.O. Box 980540, Richmond, VA 23219-1540, USA.
Abstract:
The pathophysiology of sickle cell disease involves the polymerization of sickle hemoglobin in its T state, which develops under low oxygen saturation. One therapeutic strategy is to develop pharmacologic agents to stabilize the R state of hemoglobin, which has higher oxygen affinity and is expected to have slower kinetics of polymerization, potentially delaying the sickling of red cells during circulation. This strategy has stimulated the investigation of aromatic aldehydes, aspirin derivatives, thiols, and isothiocyanates that can stabilize the R state of hemoglobin in vitro. One representative aromatic aldehyde agent, 5-hydoxymethyl-2-furfural, protects sickle cell mice from the effects of hypoxia.
More Related Videos
07:24A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy
05:23Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
Published on: March 14, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Oxygen Transport in the Blood
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...
Hypoxia
Types of Hypoxia
There are four primary types of hypoxia, each resulting from a different cause:
1. Anemic hypoxia: This type occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivery caused by a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) or RBCs with abnormal or...
Multiple Allele Traits
Hemoglobin
When all four heme groups are bound to oxygen, the resulting molecule is called oxyhemoglobin. As a result, arterial blood...
Cooperative Allosteric Transitions