Once attached, the gas hitches a ride through the blood stream, and may dilate vessels as it passes through. In sickle cell anemia, hemoglobin molecules cluster into rigid spikes as oxygen is lost. The result is misshapen blood cells that slow blood flow and can block vessels entirely. When blood flow is disrupted, oxygen can't be delivered to the body. That causes painful and potentially deadly damage to organs and tissues.
Some patients describe the pain as like a sledgehammer slamming bone.
Collaborating on the continuing investigations are the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Next step is to use magnetic resonance imaging to map changes in blood flow to certain muscle groups following nitric oxide inhalation therapy, researchers say. The Clinical Center's investigations in this area reflect our commitment to developing new and better therapies through innovative clinical research. Sickle cell anemia is most prevalent in African-Americans.