Mechanisms of aluminum-induced microcytosis: lessons from accidental aluminum intoxication.

Twenty-three hemodialysis patients exposed to an accidental aluminum overload, showed increased erythropoietin requirements and decreased erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume (MCV). At the peak of the intoxication, MCV and plasma aluminum levels changed from unrelated (r = 0.02) to strongly related (r = 0.

Effects of nitric oxide on red blood cells: changes in erythrocyte resistance to hypotonic hemolysis and potassium efflux by experimental maneuvers that decrease nitric oxide.

To determine the role of nitric oxide (NO)-dependent mechanisms on erythrocyte properties, we exposed red cells to L-arginine competitive analogues, 8Br-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (8Br-cGMP) and neutrophil-eliminating filters. These treatments significantly decreased hypotonic hemolysis, increased potassium efflux and caused a spiculate change in erythrocyte morphology. These effects were related to a decrease of NO caused by the three types of treatments.