EVALUATION OF GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE ACTIVITY, MALONYLALDEHYDE AND SELENIUM LEVELS IN SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA INDIVIDUALS ATTENDING NAUTH, NNEWI IN SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA.

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production and clearance of toxic free radicals known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is associated with hemolysis, a hallmark of SCD. SCD has long been recognized as an inflammatory condition and oxidative stress play important role in pathophysiology of SCA. Imbalance between production and elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) damages cell structures, including lipids, membranes, proteins and nucleic acids resulting in cell death or altered cell function. Aim: The aim of this study was to measure the serum level of Glutathione peroxidase, Malonaldehyde and Selenium in SCA (HbSS) in their steady state, AA (Healthy adult) and AS (sickle cell carriers) Methods: This is a cross- sectional study. A total of one hundred and fifty aged matched participants were recruited for this study.50 SCA subjects with sickle cell anemia (SS). Glutathione peroxidase and Malonyaldehyde were measured using turbidometry and colorimetric methods respectively while Selenium was analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) Results: The result of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the mean serum level of MDA concentration (2.97±0.29) was higher in the SS group and was statistically significant (p< 0.05). MDA concentration was lower in the AS group. In the post hoc analysis MDA was statistically significant between SS vs AS and AA vs AA. The glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly lower in the SS group (0.85±0.12) compare with the mean values obtained in the AA and AS group. The GPx activity among the three groups was statistically significant while the post hoc analysis among the three groups showed statistical difference and was significant (p < 0.005) The Selenium levels in the SS group is lower compared with the values observed between the AA and AS group. The Se levels in the SS group was statistically lower (5.73±1.34) (p < 0.05) and showed significant difference. The comparison study between AS vs SS and AA vs AA were statistically significant. Conclusion: The decrease in selenium level potentiates low and weakened antioxidant activity and capacity which also is a reflection of low level of glutathione peroxidase observed which is supposed to attack free radicals to prevent oxidative stress. The findings from this study are in tandem with other researches suggesting that the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease is associated with oxidative stress