The Impact of Oxidative Stress on Erythrocyte Biology (RBC Survival)

This study will address if red blood cells transfused to a sickle cell patient from a donor with a glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme deficiency have a different lifespan as measured by the percentage of red blood cells that survive post-transfusion compared to red blood cells transfused to a sickle cell patient from a donor without a G6PD enzyme deficiency.

This prospective, phase II, crossover, single-blind, randomized transfusion order study will address if red blood cells from donors with a G6PD enzyme deficiency have a different lifespan once transfused into a patient with sickle cell disease than red blood cells from an otherwise normal donor. Results of this critical study will guide future research and donor testing policies to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate units of blood for their condition. Each patient randomized to the study will receive 2 blood transfusions, one from a G6PD deficient donor and one from an otherwise normal donor. Half the patients (8) will receive G6PD deficient blood first while the other half (8) will receive non-G6PD deficient blood first. Patients will have a wash-out period of at least 4 months before receiving the opposite type of blood transfusion. The blood transfusion order will be randomized. There is currently no standard of testing in place to screen blood donations for G6PD enzyme deficiency. It is believed that up to 10% of the antigen-matched donors for patients with sickle cell disease are G6PD deficient, and the lifespan is unknown in the sickle cell population.

Patients will not be told which type of blood they are receiving first. There is no way to tell if blood has enzyme deficiencies by looking at it.

Transfusion of a red blood cell unit that has been identified by local laboratory procedures to be deficient in G6PD enzyme activity followed after 4 months by transfusion of a red blood cell unit that has been identified by local laboratory procedures to not be deficient in G6PD enzyme activity.

Transfusion of a red blood cell unit that has been identified by local laboratory procedures to not be deficient in G6PD enzyme activity followed after 4 months by transfusion of a red blood cell unit that has been identified by local laboratory procedures to be deficient in G6PD enzyme activity

Patients will receive a red blood cell transfusion. The last 50 mL of the transfusion will be labeled with chromium to allow investigators to study the lifespan of the red blood cells transfused into each patient.

Patients will receive a red blood cell transfusion. The last 50 mL of the transfusion will be labeled with chromium to allow investigators to study the lifespan of the red blood cells transfused into each patient.

Inclusion Criteria: Age 18-60 years Has diagnosis of sickle cell disease Steady state (no pain or baseline pain and ≥1 month from any hospital admission) Receiving chronic transfusions (i.e., regular transfusion every 4-8 weeks). Exclusion Criteria: History of transfusion reactions not adequately managed by antihistamines Does not have crossmatch compatible red cells Known G6PD deficiency Hepato- or splenomegaly Participation in another therapeutic trial Pregnant or nursing HIV positive At investigator discretion for uncontrolled inter-current illness or social situation limiting compliance with study requirements. Inability to speak and/or read English

Deidentified individual data that supports the results will be shared beginning 9 to 36 months following publication provided the investigator who proposes to use the data has approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Independent Ethics Committee (IEC), or Research Ethics Board (REB), as applicable, and executes a data use/sharing agreement with UNC.

Investigator proposing to use the data has approval from an IRB, IEC, or REB and an executed data use/sharing agreement with UNC.