title: Vitamin C deficiency in patients with sickle cell anemia.
abstract: Because peroxidative damage to red cell membranes may contribute to the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease, deficiency of fat- and water-soluble antioxidants could be a determinant in the pathogenesis of this disease. We have previously reported a deficiency of vitamin E in sickle cell disease. The present study was undertaken to see if a deficiency in vitamin C might also be detected. Leukocyte vitamin C, which reflects total body vitamin C reserve, was measured by a modified 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method. Sickle cell patients (N = 18) had lower leukocyte vitamin C levels (18.3 +/- 9.4 micrograms/10(8) cells) than normal controls (N = 12; 30.3 +/- 7.5 micrograms/10(8) cells; p less than 0.01). Furthermore, 50% of the patients had vitamin C levels below 15 micrograms/10(8) cells, a value consistent with vitamin C deficiency. A statistically significant correlation (r = -0.62 with 0.01 less than p less than or equal to 0.025) was found between leukocyte vitamin C levels and serum ferritin concentration. Because dietary vitamin C intake appeared to be adequate, increased vitamin C utilization may account for this deficiency. However, the mechanisms for this deficiency as well as its pathophysiologic consequences remain to be established.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, California 94609.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vichinsky
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Lubin
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005293:Ferritins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
chemical_list: D005293:Ferritins; D001205:Ascorbic Acid