Low serum glutathione-S-transferase activity and vitamin e levels do not correlate with disease severity in steady state adults with sickle cell anemia

Abstract

Introduction: Adequate levels of antioxidants are essential in subjects with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) to counter the effects reactive oxygen species generated during normal red cell metabolism. Objective: This study evaluated serum glutathione transferase activity and vitamin E levels in comparison with disease severity in steady state adult SCA subjects. Subjects And Methods: Five milliliters of venous blood was collected from each of 30 homozygous haemoglobin SS, 30 heterozygous haemoglobin AS and 30 haemoglobin AA subjects for glutathione transferase activity, vitamin E levels, haemoglobin phenotype and full blood count determination. The objective score of disease severity was calculated using white cell count, haemoglobin concentration and number of life time disease related complications and correlated with serum glutathione transferase activity and vitamin E levels, using the Spearman's correlation; P Results: The median serum Glutathione transferase activity and vitamin E levels in all study participants were 22 U/L (Q1 –Q3; 15:00 U/L – 28:50 U/L) and 32:00 ug/ml (Q1 – Q3; 17.00 ug/ml – 54.00 ug/ml, respectively). Glutathione transferase enzyme activity was significantly lower in HbSS compared with HbAA (P = 0.001) and HbSS compared with HbAS study subjects (P = 0.01). Enzyme activity and vitamin E levels did not show significant correlations with disease severity in subjects with HbSS (r = 0.07; P = 0.94 and r = -0.04; P = 0.12, respectively. Conclusion: Serum glutathione transferase activity and vitamin E levels may not be predictors of disease severity in SCA patients.