
Inhalational prostacyclins act as strong vasodilators, potentially improving oxygenation by reducing shunt fraction and ventilation-perfusion mismatch. As prostacyclin receptors are present on human erythrocytes, possible direct effects on oxygenation were further explored by examining the sole in-vitro influence of prostacyclins on haemoglobin oxygen (Hb-O2) affinity. Venous blood samples from 20 healthy volunteers were exposed in-vitro to supramaximal doses of epoprostenol, iloprost, and control. By high-throughput measurements, haemoglobin oxygen dissociation curves (ODC) were derived. Prostacyclin-receptor stimulation and subsequent cAMP-mediated ATP release from erythrocytes might explain the effect of epoprostenol on Hb-O2 affinity. Still, the reason for the sex hormone modified iloprost effect remains unclear. This finding is of great interest, as contraception is recommended for women taking iloprost.
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