Antioxidant activity in hematological diseases in children

ABSTRACT

Several hematological diseases are accompanied by oxidant stress. The objective of this work was to study antioxidant status in children with some hematological diseases and to relate the results to metabolic alterations and complications of these diseases. Red blood cells glutathione content [GSH], glutathione-related enzymes, catalase, and superoxide dismutase [SOD], in addition to plasma total radical trapping antioxidant capacity [TRAP], and vitamins E and C in blood samples from 20 children with acute G-6-PD hemolytic anemia [favism] before transfusion, 20 with homozygous beta-thalassemia and 20 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL], in addition to 20 healthy children as controls. Children with favism as well as those with beta-thalassemia had significantly lower TRAP activity, GSH, catalase, vitamins E and C than the controls. Thalassemic cases had negative correlations between ferritin levels and vitamins E and C. On the other hand, leukemic cases showed TRAP activity that was not significantly different from the controls and increased activity of GSH peroxidase and reductase enzymes. It could be concluded that antioxidant defenses are not defective in ALL, however, a pronounced defect is present in cases with favism and beta-thalassemia major. Therefore, administration of antioxidants in addition to optimal iron chelation therapy may be warranted