Ascorbate levels in red blood cells and urine in patients with sickle cell anemia.
Ascorbic acid can be important in sickle cell anemia (SCA) because significant oxidative stress occurs in the disease. Ascorbate could contribute to reduction of the increased oxygen free radicals generated in sickle red blood cells (SRBC) and to the recycling of vitamin E in the cells, while renal loss could contribute to the low plasma levels. Evaluation of red blood cell (RBC) and urine ascorbate in SCA has not been reported. Results showed (1) ascorbate levels in SRBC were similar to those in normals; (2) urine ascorbate excretion was increased in 36% of patients; (3) plasma levels of ascorbate were decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) Ascorbate is present in SRBC, most likely due to ascorbate recycling, despite increased free-radical generation. (2) The increase in renal excretion may contribute to the low plasma levels of ascorbate. (3) The presence of ample ascorbate in SRBC and decreased plasma ascorbate suggests that ascorbate movement across the SRBC membrane may differ from normal RBC.
Westerman
M P
MP
Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60608, USA. wesm@sinai.org
Zhang
Y
Y
McConnell
J P
JP
Chezick
P A
PA
Neelam
R
R
Freels
S
S
Feldman
L S
LS
Allen
S
S
Baridi
R
R
Feldman
L E
LE
Fung
L W
LW
D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012964:Sodium / Q000652:urine
D012964:Sodium; D001205:Ascorbic Acid