Plasma Hemoglobin-Binding Capacity in Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract
Studies of the capacity of plasma proteins to bind hemoglobin were made in patients with sickle cell anemia (SS), sickle cell trait (SA), hemoglobin C disease and in patients with hemolytic anemias. Hemoglobin binding was quantitatively normal in sickle cell trait, but was greatly reduced or absent in sickle cell anemia, hemoglobin C disease and in other hemolytic disorders. These alterations have been attributed to a reduction in the level of hemoglobin-binding proteins in circulating plasma. The mechanism of this reduction was not established, but the observed changes were correlated with the presence of increased hemolytic activity. The binding of hemoglobin C and hemoglobin S by normal plasma was quantitatively normal.