DEPRESSANT EFFECTS OF HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF INSPIRED OXYGEN ON ERYTHROCYTOGENESIS. OBSERVATIONS ON PATIENTS WITH SICKLE CELL ANEMIA WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE OBSERVED TOXIC MANIFESTATIONS OF OXYGEN 12

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
O2 was administered for periods of 8-20 days on 6 different occasions to 4 patients with sickle cell anemia. The degree of intravascular sickling was diminished during the periods of O2 inhalation, but there was no evidence that the rate of hemolysis or the occurrence of pain was affected. Erythrocytogenesis was depressed. On the 4th-6th day of O2 adm., the reticulocyte level began to fall, and several days later the red blood cells also began to decrease in number. During 3 of the 6 periods, the red cell counts fell by more than 1,000,000 cells. It is suggested that this depressant effect of high concs. of O2 in inspired air on the rate of red blood cell formation is the physiological antithesis of the stimulating effect of high altitudes or diminished O2 tension on erythrocytogenesis. Four or 5 days after the O2 adm. was discontinued, a pronounced reticulocytosis developed (50 to 80%) and the number of red cells returned to approx. the pre-O2 level. Congestion of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory passages, anorexia, and nausea were the principal evidences of toxic effects produced by the high O2 concs.