Reduction of in Vitro Autohemolysis in Hereditary Spherocytosis by Impermeant Molecules

It has been shown that a variety of compounds will reduce the abnormal autohemolysis which occurs after 48 hours of incubation of HS erythrocytes. These compounds either provide energy in the form of ATP, as is the case with glucose and adenosine, or provide an external osmotic force by virtue of their inability to cross the red cell membrane, as is the case with phosphorylated compounds, glutathione and sucrose. None of these latter compounds caused a significant preservation of erythrocyte ATP content. In assessing the effect of added compounds in the autohemolysis test, their osmotic behavior should be taken into account.