Hydroxyurea therapy mobilises arachidonic Acid from inner cell membrane aminophospholipids in patients with homozygous sickle cell disease.

The cytotoxic compound hydroxyurea (HU) is effective therapy for sickle cell disease. However, its effect on unsaturated membrane lipids is unknown. Red cell fatty acids were investigated in HU-treated (n = 19) and HU-untreated (n = 17) sickle cell patients and controls (n = 20).