title: Increased concentrations of IL-18 and uric acid in sickle cell anemia: contribution of hemolysis, endothelial activation and the inflammasome.
abstract: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a common, severe monogenetic disorder characterized by chronic hemolysis, frequent infections, a chronic inflammatory state and recurrent occlusions of the microcirculation, resulting in painful crises, organ damage and premature death. This study evaluated associations between serum levels of IL-18, uric acid, hemolytic markers, and inflammatory molecules in SCA patients. A cross-sectional study was performed including 45 SCA patients (median age of 20.5 years) without general symptoms and who had not undergone blood transfusions. Inclusion criteria for the steady-state SCA patients were the absence of hospitalization and the absence of infections. Interleukin-18 and uric acid levels were correlated closely with markers of hemolysis, endothelial dysfunction and others cytokines levels. These findings suggest probable influences of IL-18 and uric acid in the pathophysiology of vascular occlusion in SCA. Additional studies should be performed to characterize similar prognosis markers and possible therapeutic targets.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno A V
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Cerqueira
authors.forename: Wendell V
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: Boas
authors.forename: Angela D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Zanette
authors.forename: Mitermayer G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Marilda S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Goncalves
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D058847:Inflammasomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D058847:Inflammasomes; D020382:Interleukin-18; D014527:Uric Acid