[Protective effect of buflomedil hydrochloride on erythrocyte sickling. In vitro study]

Previous workers found that Buflomedil Hydrochloride increases erythrocyte potential energy and consequently improves membrane plasticity. It was therefore decided to check whether the same molecule was capable of exerting an effect in certain congenital or acquired disease conditions affecting the red cell when increased fragility and early haemolysis are certainly in part by changes in the membrane skeleton and thus to reduced deformability. Sickle cell anaemia is one of these diseases. The surprising, lasting and almost total "protective" action of buflomedil hydrochloride observed in the sickling test is reported. Some explanations are suggested for this effect.