Red blood cell indices, cation content, and membrane cation transports

In sickle cell disease, in the homozygous state, the increased heterogeneit y of erythrocytes results mainly from membrane defects secondary to Hb S po lymerization and the increased survival of F cells, The density distributio n curve, using phthalate esters or the red blood cell indices measured with the H*3 system, are useful methods for the hematological follow-up of pati ents under specific therapies. The methods evaluating the red blood cell ca tion contents and the abnormal membrane potassium transport pathways are al so described, in order to evaluate agents which can restore normal hemoglob in concentration and water content in dehydrated sickle cells.