Oxygen Therapy

Sickle cell disease is a condition caused by a genetic mutation in the HBB gene leading to the formation of abnormal hemoglobin, called sickle hemoglobin or hemoglobin S.

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that binds oxygen. Hemoglobin S has reduced oxygen-binding capacity.

Hypoxia in sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease patients frequently experience hypoxia, or low oxygen levels, in tissues due to the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin S. Hypoxia can lead to various complications in sickle cell disease patients.

For example, hypoxia is associated with pulmonary hypertension. It is thought that hypoxia may cause pulmonary hypertension via hemolysis, or the rupturing of red blood cells. Because hypoxia promotes a sickle shape in the red blood cells, it makes them more fragile and prone to rupture.

This sets free hemoglobin that reacts with a molecule called nitric oxide, thereby depleting it from the blood. Nitric oxide is needed for the relaxation of blood vessels, and therefore its depletion from the blood may contribute to pulmonary hypertension.

Hypoxia is also associated with vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC), where aggregating sickle-shaped red blood cells block the small blood vessels. When VOC occurs in the blood vessels of the lung, it can lead to acute chest syndrome (ACS), a condition where oxygen concentrations in the blood drop below a critical level. Recurrent ACS also increases the risk of stroke.

How does oxygen therapy work?

The supply of extra oxygen with oxygen therapy may be beneficial for some patients with sickle cell disease. But the use of oxygen therapy in sickle cell disease is controversial because high levels of oxygen are known to suppress the formation of new red blood cells.

This can worsen the anemia that is seen in these patients. Oxygen therapy is, therefore, only recommended when oxygen levels drop below a critical threshold.

Oxygen therapy in clinical trials

A Phase 3 randomized clinical trial (NCT02813850) is investigating whether oxygen therapy can reduce the incidence of VOC in pregnant women with sickle cell disease. The trial is currently recruiting patients at the Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades in Paris and has a targeted enrollment of 200 participants. The study is estimated to complete in October 2021.

Another clinical trial (NCT03412045) at the University of Nebraska aims to assess the effectiveness of oxygen therapy in sickle cell crisis. The primary outcome measure of the trial will be the reduction of pain. According to the clinical trial website, the study is not yet recruiting participants but it was planned to start in September 2019. No updates have been made to the page since July 2019, however.

 

Last updated: Feb. 25, 2020

***

Sickle Cell Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.