ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN THALASSEMIC PATIENTS

Background: increased membrane lipid peroxidation in patients with thalassemia has been reported suggesting that superoxide radicals generated in excess following autooxidation of isolated hemoglobin chains is an important contributor to the hemolytic process. Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status of patients with betathalassemia in comparison to healthy people. Methods: Red cell superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and red cell catalase activity were measured in the biochemistry department for the period from January 2003 to October 2003, 76 patients with beta-thalassemia, 14 patients with beta-thalassemia minor and 19 healthy controls were studied. Results: Erythrocytes of patients with betathalassemia major had significantly higher SOD than control (p<0.0004). Red cell catalase activity of thalassemia minor patients was significantly higher than that of the control (p<0.05). In thalassemic patients, the more anemic patients have significantly higher SOD activity, but this correlation was not present between anaemic patients & catalase activity. Conclusion: Red cell superoxide dismutase activity was greatly increased in homozygous beta-thalassemia, and inversely correlated with severity of anaemia. Keyword: SOD, Catalase, Thalassemia.