Aspartame effect in sickle cell anemia

Objective To examine the in vitro and in vivo attributes of aspartame and to determine its efficacy for treating sickle cell anemia. Rationale Aspartame (L‐aspartyl‐L‐phenylalanine methyl ester) binds with 2 human Bence Jones proteins. The proteins (Mcg and Sea) showed phenylalanine penetrating into...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics 2001-05, Vol.69 (5), p.346-355
Main Authors: Manion, Carl V., Howard, Jessica, Ogle, Brandi, Parkhurst, Joan, Edmundson, Allen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administration, Oral
Adolescent
Adult
Anemia, Sickle Cell - drug therapy
Anemia, Sickle Cell - genetics
Aspartame - therapeutic use
Biological and medical sciences
Blood - drug effects
Blood Viscosity - drug effects
Blood. Blood coagulation. Reticuloendothelial system
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Genotype
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
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Summary:Objective To examine the in vitro and in vivo attributes of aspartame and to determine its efficacy for treating sickle cell anemia. Rationale Aspartame (L‐aspartyl‐L‐phenylalanine methyl ester) binds with 2 human Bence Jones proteins. The proteins (Mcg and Sea) showed phenylalanine penetrating into hydrophobic binding sites. This aspartame property suggested a potential to interfere with sickle hemoglobin fibril formation. Methods For the in vitro studies, blood from 20 subjects monitored for sickle cell anemia was collected in heparinized tubes. Specimens were divided in thirds and aspartame was added to 2 tubes to yield a 1 mg/mL or 2 mg/mL concentration. Sickled cells that were present after a drop from each aliquot was added to a fresh 2% metabisulfite solution were counted 3 times. For the in vivo studies, 23 subjects from the Sickle Cell Clinic (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Okla) consented to participate in a randomized single‐dose administration of 1.5, 3.0, or 6 mg/kg aspartame. Heparinized blood was obtained at 0, 30, 60, 120, 240, 480, and 1440 minutes after aspartame administration. Specimens were counted in a blinded manner by means of the technique used for the in vitro method, but a photomicrograph of 1 field from each triplicate count was made. The pictures were marked and were computer counted. Results For the in vitro studies, sickled cells decreased from 28% to
ISSN:0009-9236
1532-6535
DOI:10.1067/mcp.2001.115141