Lipid peroxidation and genetic diversity of abo blood groups in sickle cell patients at Mulago hospital

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a class of hemoglobin apathy resulting from a single mutation in the ß-globin chain inducing the substitution of valine for glutamic acid at the sixth amino acid position which leads to the production of abnormal hemoglobin (hemoglobin S). The ABO blood group system is the most important cell surface marker whose incompatibility in transfusion medicine leads to Red blood cell (RBC) agglutination, organ failure and death. Studies demonstrated the implication of oxidative stress in the development of the sickle cell disease. The aim of the study was to determine lipid peroxidation and to identify the genetic diversity of ABO blood groups in sickle cell patients at Mulago hospital. Blood samples from the sickle cell clinic, Mulago and the blood bank, Nakasero were used for these investigations. Lipid peroxidation was determined by quantification of MDA using the Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) method. ABO blood group diversity was determined using allele specific polymerase chain reactions. A total of 25 samples, 14 for male participants with average age 11 years and 11 for female participants with average age 10 years were collected from Mulago. From Nakasero, 5 samples for male participants with average age 31 years and 3 samples for female participants with average age 26 years were collected. Results revealed that Malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly high in sickle cell patients than normal individuals (P= 0.0052). Genotype AO (37.93%) was dominant followed by AA (34.48%), BO (20.69%), BB (3.45%) and AB (3.45%). There was no OO obtained. MDA results revealed an increase in Lipid per-oxidation in sickle cell patients compared to healthy individuals which confirms that lipid per-oxidation is involved in the parthenogenesis of the sickle cell disease. The ABO blood group distribution for the study was not comparable to the global ABO blood group distribution.