Hemoglobin S Polymerization Effect on Water Self-Diffusion Coefficient

Abstract

The transversal relaxation time, the effective transversal relaxation time and the water self-diffusion coefficient are evaluated during hemoglobin S polymerization. One homogeneous permanent magnet and one inhomogeneous and portable unilateral magnet with a very strong and constant static magnetic field gradient were utilized. The Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill method was used before and after placing the studied samples 24 hours at 36˚C to guarantee the polymerization. The transversal relaxation shows two exponents after polymerization supporting the concept of partially polymerized hemoglobin. The effective transversal relaxation time decreases around 40%, which can be explained by the increase of water self-diffusion coefficient 1.8 times as a main value. This result can be explained considering the effects of the agglutination process on the obstruction and hydration effects in a partially polymerized solution.

Water Efflux in Red Blood Cells of Sickle Cell Patients under Spontaneous Deoxygenation

“…Its complexity, genetic origin [2] and the different molecular processes involved in its pathophysiology [3] have contributed to this situation. The presence of an abnormal hemoglobin (HbS) inside the RBC, causing a polymerization process under deoxygenation, is recognized as the molecular process contributing most to the pathogenesis of SCD [4], and for this reason many efforts have been made in relation to its study [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]. Nevertheless, the deoxygenation also causes cell damage, dehydration and shrinking [10].…”