Sulindac Sulfide – Induced Stimulation of Eryptosis

Sulindac sulfide, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), stimulates apoptosis of tumor cells and is thus effective against malignancy. In analogy to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may undergo eryptosis, an apoptosis-like suicidal erythrocyte death, characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine-exposure at the cell surface. Stimulators of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca(2+)-activity ([Ca(2+)](i)) and ceramide formation. The present study explored, whether sulindac sulfide stimulates eryptosis.