Zinc and antioxidant vitamin deficiency in patients with severe sickle cell anemia

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe sickle cell anemia (SCA) have a higher potential for oxidative damage due to chronic redox imbalance in red blood cells that often leads to hemolysis, endothelial injury and recurrent vaso-occlusive episodes. This study evaluated the plasma levels of vitamins A, C and E as indicators of antioxidant status. In addition, serum levels of zinc and copper were also estimated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five adult patients with severe sickle cell anemia (12 males and 13 females aged 29.72 +/- 12.94 years) and 25 matched controls were studied. Plasma levels of vitamins A, C and E were measured by HPLC technique. Serum zinc and copper levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in plasma levels of vitamins A, C and E and in serum levels of zinc in patients with SCA as compared with controls (P < 0.0001). Serum copper levels were significantly elevated compared with controls (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: These findings emphasize the significant deficiencies of the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E and the trace element zinc along with the significant elevation of serum copper in patients with severe sickle cell disease. Further studies are needed to find out whether supplementation of antioxidant vitamins and zinc may ameliorate some sickle cell disease complications.