Itokua EK, Ngiyulu R, Tshilolo L, Manzombi C, Sadiki H, Makulo JR, Aloni M, Sumaili EK, Nlandu YM, Nkodila AN, Lepira FB, Gini L, Nseka NM
BACKGROUND
There is limited knowledge of oxidative stress among Black children with sickle cell Anemia (SCA). We evaluated the relationship between abnormal urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) and glutathione peroxidative (GPx).
METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, 70 children with SCA (58% male, mean age of 9.9 years) from two hospitals were studied. We measured UAER (ACR, mg/g) and GPx, umol/l) as a marker of antioxidative capacity. Patients were categorized in two subgroups according to median activity of GPx. Comparison between subgroups was made with the Mann Whitney test. P < 0.05 defined the level of statistical significance.
RESULTS
The mean (SD) and median (IQR) of GPx for the whole group were 318 ± 292 umol/l and 220 (101-466)umol/l; values for UAER were 12 ± 8 mg/g and 10 (9-15) mg/g, respectively. Compared to patients with GPx activity above the median, those below this threshold had significantly higher UAER [10 (8-17) mg/g vs 10 (9-13) mg/g; p = 0.031)].
CONCLUSION
In the present study, reduced antioxidative activity in SCA patients was associated with increased UAER suggesting the latter as marker of oxidative stress.
Key words: steady state sickle cell Anemia, antioxidative capacity, UAER, glutathione peroxidase
