The association of transfusion status with antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde level in Nigerians with sickle cell disease

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) often leads to chronic hemolytic anemia of varying severity, and blood transfusion may be employed in the management of SCD complications. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of blood transfusion on the activities of some antioxidant enzymes as well as lipid peroxide and to relate transfusion status to these enzymes and malondialdehyde (MDA) in SCD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase, catalase, MDA, and lipoproteins were assayed in 87 SCD and 20 age- and sex-matched subjects with normal hemoglobin. Of the 87 SCD patients, 30 had multiple transfusions, 21 had been transfused once while 36 had not been transfused within the last 3 months. RESULTS: Statistically significant decrease in the mean levels of GPX (P = 0.045) and Cu/Zn SOD (P = 0.001) and increased (P = 0.001) MDA were observed in the transfused compared to non-transfused patients. Similarly, significant decrease (P = 0.001) in Cu/Zn SOD and increase (P = 0.01) in MDA were observed in multi transfused compared to those who had been transfused once. Transfusion status correlated (P <0.047) inversely with Cu/Zn SOD and positively with MDA. CONCLUSION: Reduced activity levels of serum antioxidant enzymes and increased mean levels of MDA were observed in transfused compared to non-transfused SCD patients and these changes correlated with transfusion status.