Biochemical changes associated with sickle cell anaemia

Abstract

Some blood chemical parameters including some enzyme activities were determined in forty two sickle cell patients in Ekiti state, Nigeria. All the parameters of interest analyzed for were found present in all the samples. The mean values for uric acid (0.35±0.16 mol/l), creatinine (100.55±8.13 μmol/l), urea (10.50±6.28 mmol/l), Total bilirubin (14.42±2.03 μmol/l), conjugated bilirubin (10.53±2.67 μmol/l), alkaline phosphatase (82.67±10.87 μ/l) aspartate transaminase (SGOT)(20.68±9.85 μ/l) and alanine transaminase (SGPT)(28.68±9.85 μ/L) were significantly higher (P< 0.05) in sickle cell patients than the control. Serum sodium (Na+)(110.00±4.0 lmmol/L), potassium (K+)(2.56±0.63 mmol/L) total protein (60.05±10.35 g/L), albumin (30.16±3.28 g/L), Calcium (2.00±0.1 mmol/L) and inorganic phosphate (1.12±0.19 mmol/L) were also found to be significantly lowered in sickle cell patient when compared with the control. Analysis of the results showed an increase in plasma chloride (99.33±2.54 mmol/L) and decrease in bicarbonate (22.99±2.06 mmol/L). The differences were however not statistically significant (P> 0.05). The significant raised level of SGPT, SGOT, ALP, total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, and significant lower levels of total protein, albumin, calcium, inorganic phosphate indicates that there may be abnormal liver and renal function as well as muscular and bone dysfunction in these patients.