Erythrocyte and Plasma Lipids in Sickle Cell Anemia

Measurement of various lipid moieties of the nonsickled erythrocytes of patients with sickle cell disease demonstrate an increased concentration of all lipid fractions when compared to a normal similarly aged population of erythrocytes. Highly significant increases in sickle disease cells occurred only in the total lipid fraction. The nonsickled erythrocyte of patients with sickle cell disease appears flatter and has a larger surface area than similarly aged normal cells. Significant decreases in plasma total lipid, phospholipid and cholesterol were present.