Ray, DebesDeshmukh, PradeepGoswami, KalyanGarg, Neelam2007-01-152009-06-032007-01-152009-06-032007-01-15Ray D, Deshmukh P, Goswami K, Garg N. Antioxidant vitamin levels in sickle cell disorders. National Medical Journal of India. 2007 Jan-Feb; 20(1): 11-3http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/118318BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disorder is a haemoglobinopathy prevalent in the Vidharbha region of Maharashtra, central India. With recent evidence of oxidative stress in sickle haemoglobinopathy, a possible deficiency of antioxidant vitamins was suspected. METHODS: We measured plasma vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene levels in persons with heterozygous (n=80) and homozygous sickle cell state (n=20), and suitable healthy controls for these groups (n=100 and 66, respectively) in a community-based study in the villages near our institution. RESULTS: Subjects with heterozygous sickle cell trait had lower vitamin E levels than their respective controls (p < 0.05). Subjects with homozygous sickle cell disease had lower levels of all three vitamins (p < 0.05). Vitamins E and C levels showed a significant positive correlation in both forms of sickle cell disorder. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that there is depletion of the antioxidant vitamins, particularly in severe forms of sickle cell disorder. A trial of administration of therapeutic doses of vitamin E in this condition is warranted.engAdolescentAdultAnemia, Sickle Cell --epidemiologyAntioxidants --analysisAscorbic Acid --bloodAscorbic Acid DeficiencyCase-Control StudiesChildFemaleHumansIndia --epidemiologyMaleRisk FactorsVitamin E Deficiency --bloodbeta Carotene --deficiencyJournal Article