[Effects of hypotensive drugs on the function of red blood cell]

The shift of oxygen dissociation curve (ODC) and the function of red blood cell after the administration of hypotensive drugs prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), nicardipine (NIC), nitroglycerin, (TNG) were studied in 30 patients in whom mastectomy was performed. The author measured blood gases, blood sugar, L/P, ATP, the deformability of red blood cell, 2,3-DPG, and P50 in patients who had intravenous administration of low dose of PGE1 (0.05-0.1 microgram.kg-1 x min-1, n = 10), NIC (1.0-5.0 micrograms.kg-1 x min-1, n = 10) and TNG (0.5-1.0 microgram.kg-1 x min-1, n = 10). During the administration of these hypotensive drugs, A-aDO2 and blood sugar increased, but pH and L/P were unchanged. The deformability of red blood cell improved, and 2,3-DPG as well as P50 increased significantly after the administration of PGE1. PGE1, NIC, and TNG are all effective and safe drugs for hypotensive anesthesia. In particular, from the viewpoint of the function of red blood cell, it seems that PGE1 improves oxygen supply into tissues by improving deformability of red blood cell and by increasing P50.