Prostaglandin oligomeric derivatives inhibit in vitro formation of dehydrated cells from sickle red cells

Two types of oligomeric derivatives of prostaglandin E1 were synthesized, a free-acid type and a lipophilic ester type. Neither compound inhibited sickling of red blood cells from sickle cell anaemia patients. However, both were found to inhibit the in vitro formation of dehydrated, dense cells (DC) caused by repeated cycles of sickling and unsickling of sickle cells. Both inhibited the formation of DC in a dose-related manner, but the ester type compound was more effective than the acid-type compound. Concentrations at which these compounds inhibit the DC formation by 50% were 5.2 microM and 40 microM for ester and free-acid compounds, respectively. A possible inhibition mechanism is discussed.