Assessment of Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Status in Common Haemoglobin Phenotypes in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria

Background: Generally speaking, erythrocyte haemoglobin (Hb) is pro-oxidant in nature constantly generating superoxide (O2-) species in biological system of all Hb phenotypes. Sometimes, this reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggers lipid peroxidation with eventual rise in oxidative stress, particularly when the supposed self-sustaining antioxidant defence system is overwhelmed. Worse still, abnormal Hb generates multiple of O2- specie. Recent evidence has linked abnormal haemoglobins S and C in sickle cell diseases (SCD) to various complications with multiple pro-oxidant processes; however, similar studies in relation with abnormal haemoglobin traits are sparse. More so, reports on rate of activities of various antioxidant enzymes in SCDs are still contradictory. This study aimed to assess interplay between lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defence capacity in various haemoglobin variants. Method : A total number of 150 participants with different haemoglobin variants were recruited. Plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzymes were assayed using spectrophotometric method. Result: The results showed that plasma levels of MDA and erythrocytic SOD were significantly increased (P 0.05) in abnormal haemoglobins in that order of HbSS >HbSC >HbAC >HbAS, when compared with controls (HbAA). Conversely, plasma levels of GPx and TAS showed significant reductions (p 0.05), respectively. Conclusion: The results suggest that both sickle cell diseases and the carriers were relatively more vulnerable to systemic oxidative stress (in that order of HbSS> HbSC > HbAC >HbAS) contrary to normal haemoglobin phenotype, possibly owing to ineffective antioxidant mechanisms needed for keeping spontaneous generation of free radicals in control.