Oxidative profile of sickle cell patients in a Cameroonian urban hospital

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a class of hemoglobinopathy resulting from a single mutation in the ß-globin chain inducing the substitution of valine for glutamic acid at the sixth amino acid position which leads to the production of abnormal haemoglobin (haemoglobin S [HbS]). Studies demonstrated the implication of oxidative stress in the development of the sickle cell disease.

The study aim was to determine the level of oxidative stress markers in a group of sickle cell homozygous patients (SS) in the Yaounde Central Hospital above 15 years of age. Hemolysates obtained from patients were used to investigate some oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total protein concentration.

Eighty four individuals, 42 males and 42 females participated (50 % each) with an age range of 15 to 55 years. The levels of markers were significantly higher in the healthy AA group than sickle (SS) (p < 0.05), with the exception of MDA which was significantly high in sickle cell (SS) patients than healthy (p = 0.037). With respect to the gender, both healthy and SS females showed a greater Total anti-oxidant capacity (65 μM) compared to the males (55 μM).

The increase in the oxidative stress level especially MDA in sickle cell homozygous patients compared to healthy AA individuals confirms that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of the sickle cell disease.