Steady state haemoglobin level increases with the proportion of erythrocyte membrane n-3 fatty acids in sickle cell anaemia

Okpala, Iheanyi, Ren, Hongmei, Ghebremeskel, Kebreab, Ugochukwu, Cynthia C., Ibegbulam, Obike and Crawford, Michael A. (2004) Steady state haemoglobin level increases with the proportion of erythrocyte membrane n-3 fatty acids in sickle cell anaemia. Blood, 104 (11). pp. 1-3. ISSN 0006-4971

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.V104.11.3566.3566

Abstract / Description

Previous studies indicate that perturbation of erythrocyte and/or plasma lipids occurs in homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD), and treatment with n-3 fatty acids (FA) is beneficial to affected individuals (Tomer et al, Thromb Haemost 2001; 966–974). Phosphatidylserine has a role in sickle erythrocyte-endothelial adhesion, which contributes to vessel occlusion in SCD (Setty et al, Blood 2002; 1564–1571). Considering that n-3 and n-6 FA are essential structural and functional components of the red cell membrane, the objective of this study was to find out if abnormalities of these FA affect the degree of anaemia in SCD. We recruited 43 HbSS patients and 43 racially-matched, healthy, HbAA controls living in the same environment; analysed the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membrane choline (CPG), serine (SPG) and ethanolamine (EPG) phosphoglycerides and sphingomyelin (SPM); and sought for relationship between steady-state Hb level in SCD and the proportion of n-3 FA in the red cell membrane. HbSS individuals had high levels of adrenic and docosapentanoic acids in CPG, EPG, SPG (p<0.001), and SPM (p<0.05). Arachidonic acid (AA) was increased in CPG (p<0.001) and EPG (p<0.005) of the patients. In contrast, linoleic acid (LA) was low in patients' CPG, EPG, SPG and SPM (p<0.001). Both LA and AA were reduced in plasma CPG, triglycerides and cholesterol esters of SCD patients. There was significant positive correlation between steady-state Hb level and n-3 FA content of erythrocytes: docosahexaenoic (DHA, p<0.01, r = 0.63) and eicosapentanoic (EPA) acids in red cell CPG, and EPA in EPG (p<0.05, r = 0.60); figs. 1&2. The observed high AA with low DHA/EPA levels favour red cell adherence to vascular endothelium and vaso-occlusion. The data suggest that in SCD: synthesis of AA and/or membrane uptake of LA and AA may be abnormal; increased proportions of erythrocyte membrane DHA and EPA confer some resistance to haemolysis.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: ** From Elsevier via Jisc Publications Router
Uncontrolled Keywords: erythrocyte membrane; hemoglobin measurement; omega-3 fatty acids; sickle cell anemia; sickle cell disease (SCD); steady state; electropalatography; microscopy; scanning probe; adhesions; anemia; arachidonic acid
Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health
Department: School of Human Sciences
SWORD Depositor: Pub Router
Depositing User: Pub Router
Date Deposited: 20 Jul 2021 11:27
Last Modified: 20 Jul 2021 11:44
URI: https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/id/eprint/6828

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