The activity of superoxide dismutase in hydroxyurea-treated E beta thalassemia.
OBJECTIVE
To study the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in hydroxyurea (HU)-treated E beta thalassaemia.


METHODS
We have measured SOD level, HbF, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) of E beta thalassaemia treated with HU (dose 30 mg/kg/day) for consecutive 90 days.


RESULTS
The increase of HbF synthesis without increase of Hb was observed in HU-treated patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The decreased SOD level in long term and low dose of HU therapy in E beta thalassaemia may have some role to inhibit superoxide radical of erythrocyte. HU may act as inhibitor for oxidative damage of red cell in E beta thalassaemia.
Ajanta
H
H
Thalassaemia Counselling Department, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Science, Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratisthan, Calcutta, India.
Chakraborty
Sheela
S
Madhusnata
De
D
Bhattacharya
D K
DK
Manisha
De
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000986:Antisickling Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology
D000986:Antisickling Agents; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D006918:Hydroxyurea