In this report, radioactive tracer methodologies have been used to investigate the effects of ortho (o)-vanillin on K+ permeability, KCC, the Gardos channel and Psickle in RBCs from SCD patients. Results show that this aromatic aldehyde markedly inhibits all three, as well as also affects HbS polymerisation and sickling, but also stimulates an unidentified
K+ efflux pathway. These additional actions of o-vanillin may be of significant considerationwhen designing similar compounds to ameliorate the complications of SCD.