Effect of NAC on Dense Cell Formation
| . | 45% Percoll . | 50% Percoll . | 55% Percoll . | 60% Percoll . | 65% Percoll . |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control | |||||
| RBC total ×107 | 52.8 ± 22.5 | 20.9 ± 3.5 | 15.8 ± 3.4 | 1.0 ± 0.5 | 0.3 ± 0.2 |
| % RBC | 52.2 ± 11.3 | 28.3 ± 11.2 | 18.4 ± 2.8 | 0.8 ± 0.4 | 0.3 ± 0.2 |
| % ISCs | 9.7 ± 1.4 | 11.5 ± 4.8 | 13.7 ± 0.7 | 16.4 ± 8.9 | 19.7 ± 12.4 |
| 0 mmol/L NAC | |||||
| RBC total ×107 | 12.3 ± 5.5 | 6.4 ± 1.3 | 32.2 ± 7.2 | 33.4 ± 14.0 | 11.6 ± 8.4 |
| % RBC | 11.1 ± 3.2 | 8.7 ± 2.7 | 41.1 ± 10.4 | 30.6 ± 6.7 | 8.6 ± 5.8 |
| % ISCs | 23.0 ± 3.2 | 35.9 ± 4.0 | 39.9 ± 3.0 | 45.6 ± 2.9 | 35.5 ± 12.3 |
| 20 mmol/L NAC | |||||
| RBC total ×107 | 17.3 ± 4.9 | 13.2 ± 3.8 | 32.1 ± 6.0 | 25.0 ± 14.4 | 3.7 ± 2.9 |
| % RBC | 18.6 ± 4.0* | 15.7 ± 2.9* | 42.7 ± 9.5 | 20.4 ± 8.2* | 2.7 ± 1.8 |
| % ISCs | 26.3 ± 7.8 | 35.6 ± 10.9 | 54.7 ± 5.7 | 46.5 ± 3.9 | 33.3 ± 11.9 |
| . | 45% Percoll . | 50% Percoll . | 55% Percoll . | 60% Percoll . | 65% Percoll . |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control | |||||
| RBC total ×107 | 52.8 ± 22.5 | 20.9 ± 3.5 | 15.8 ± 3.4 | 1.0 ± 0.5 | 0.3 ± 0.2 |
| % RBC | 52.2 ± 11.3 | 28.3 ± 11.2 | 18.4 ± 2.8 | 0.8 ± 0.4 | 0.3 ± 0.2 |
| % ISCs | 9.7 ± 1.4 | 11.5 ± 4.8 | 13.7 ± 0.7 | 16.4 ± 8.9 | 19.7 ± 12.4 |
| 0 mmol/L NAC | |||||
| RBC total ×107 | 12.3 ± 5.5 | 6.4 ± 1.3 | 32.2 ± 7.2 | 33.4 ± 14.0 | 11.6 ± 8.4 |
| % RBC | 11.1 ± 3.2 | 8.7 ± 2.7 | 41.1 ± 10.4 | 30.6 ± 6.7 | 8.6 ± 5.8 |
| % ISCs | 23.0 ± 3.2 | 35.9 ± 4.0 | 39.9 ± 3.0 | 45.6 ± 2.9 | 35.5 ± 12.3 |
| 20 mmol/L NAC | |||||
| RBC total ×107 | 17.3 ± 4.9 | 13.2 ± 3.8 | 32.1 ± 6.0 | 25.0 ± 14.4 | 3.7 ± 2.9 |
| % RBC | 18.6 ± 4.0* | 15.7 ± 2.9* | 42.7 ± 9.5 | 20.4 ± 8.2* | 2.7 ± 1.8 |
| % ISCs | 26.3 ± 7.8 | 35.6 ± 10.9 | 54.7 ± 5.7 | 46.5 ± 3.9 | 33.3 ± 11.9 |
RBC total and percent ISCs formed were calculated after density separation via Percoll gradients of SS RBCs, which underwent cyclic oxygenation/deoxygenation of low density (45% Percoll layer) sickle cells with various concentrations of NAC at 37°C for 16 hours. The control represents the sickle cells without cycling and without NAC treatment, but that were kept at 37°C and shaken for 16 hours. All values (except control where n = 3) represent mean and standard error of four experiments (n = 4 [different patients]).
Indicates a significant difference from the 0.0 mmol/L concentration (P < 0.05).