1999 Volume 22 Issue 8 Pages 773-774
The influence of Viburnine on red blood cell metabolism and hemoglobin oxygen affinity was investigated in normobaric rats (FiO2 : 10%). Two periods of hypoxic exposure were performed (10-21d). In each experimental series, rats were divided into two groups : Treated rats received a daily intraperitoneal injection of drug (4 mg/kg). Control rats in the same conditions of hypoxia received an isotoic saline solution.For a 10 d exposure period, Vinburnine does not affect red blood cell metabolism nor hemoglobin oxygen affinity. At 21 d period exposure, 2, 3 diphosphoglycerate (2, 3 DPG) and ATP amounts increase in treated rats. The rate of increase was 10% (p<0.05) and 28% (p<0.01), respectively. Red blood cell metabolism effect of Vinburnine was not accompanied by a modification in affinity hemoglobin oxygen (Hb-O2); no statistically significant difference was observed between treated rats and control rats concerning p50 (partial pressure oxygen at half hemoglobin saturation).Results suggest that Vinburnine has a metabolic effect corresponding to a glycolysis anaerobic stimulation, which can improve oxygen delivery to tissues and could explain the favorable hemoreological action of Vinburnine observed in a previous investigation.