A Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Sodium Butyrate and Hydroxyurea on Erythroid Differentiation, Cell Proliferation, and Fetal Hemoglobin Production in K562 Cells

Abstract

This study examines the dose- and time-dependent effects of sodium butyrate (NaB) on cell proliferation, erythroid differentiation, and fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production in human erythroleukemia K562 cells. Building on previous evidence that sodium butyrate influences K562 cell growth and hemoglobin production, the study focuses on determining how different concentrations and durations of NaB exposure affect cellular responses. K562 cells will be exposed to sodium butyrate at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mM under single and continuous exposure conditions. Cell proliferation and viability will be evaluated at predetermined time points, and changes in total hemoglobin production will be assessed using spectrophotometric analysis. Fetal hemoglobin production will be evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Morphological changes associated with erythroid differentiation will also be examined using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The study will compare responses across NaB concentrations and exposure durations to identify concentration- and time-dependent patterns in K562 cell proliferation and hemoglobin production. Particular attention will be given to the previously observed response to 0.1 mM NaB, which produced the greatest total hemoglobin production, and to the earlier detection of HbF following exposure to higher concentrations of NaB. The findings are expected to clarify the relationship between sodium butyrate exposure, K562 cell proliferation, erythroid differentiation, and fetal hemoglobin induction. The study may provide additional insight into the potential of sodium butyrate as an inducer of fetal hemoglobin production and establish a basis for further investigation of pharmacological approaches to erythroid differentiation and hemoglobin induction.

Keywords: Sodium butyrate, K562 cells, Erythroid differentiation, Fetal hemoglobin, Hemoglobin production, Cell proliferation, Dose-dependent response, Time-dependent exposure, Erythroleukemia, and Pharmacological induction.

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/121-02

Publication date: August 30th 2026