Enhancement of filterability of sickle cells by cyanate: an effect independent of oxygen saturation.

Filterability and morphology of cyanate-treated sickle cells were compared to those of untreated cells at equal oxygen saturations to determine whether carbamylation inhibited sickling by an effect other than by its alteration of the oxygen dissociation curve. Morphology of treated and untreated cells was not significantly different at all levels of oxygen saturation examined. Filterability, on the other hand, was improved significantly by carbamylation. This latter finding indicates that carbamylation enhances deformability of sickle cells by a mechanism(s) in addition to its effect on red cell oxygen saturation. This mechanism(s) may account for the clinical benefit of cyanate therapy with doses which do not significantly affect the oxygen dissociation curve.