Association of the SOD2 polymorphism (Val6Ala) and SOD activity with vaso-occlusive crisis and acute splenic sequestration in children with sickle cell anemia

The SOD2 polymorphism Val16Ala TaC influences the antioxidative response. This study investigated the association of the SOD2 polymorphism and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity with vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and acute splenic sequestration (ASS) in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA). One hundred ninety-five children aged 1-9 years old were analyzed. The TC and CC genotypes were associated with lower SOD activity compared with the TT genotype ( p =0.0321; p =0.0253, respectively). Furthermore, TC/CC were more frequent in patients with VOC or ASS ( p =0.0285; p =0.0090, respectively). These results suggest that the SOD2 polymorphism associated with low SOD activity could be involved in SCA physiopathology.