title: Evaluation of the concentration of malondialdehyde and nitrite in patients with sickle cell anemia treated or not with hydroxyurea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the serum levels of malondialdehyde and nitrite in patients with sickle cell anemia treated or not with hydroxyurea in outpatient's setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the 65 patients with sickle cell anemia selected for the study, 51 were not treated with hydroxyurea (Group 1), 14 made chronic use of hydroxyurea (Group 2) and 20 individuals had no hemoglobinopathies (Control Group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Control Group had a lower and more homogeneous concentration of malondialdehyde levels as compared to the other groups. The results of Groups 1 and 2 showed increased values of malondialdehyde levels when compared to the Control Group. Considering the values of Groups 1 and 2, there were no significant changes in the malondialdehyde levels. There was no significant difference in the serum levels of nitrite between the groups. Group 2 presented a statistically significant correlation between serum malondialdehyde levels and the clinical variables investigated. In turn, Group 1 showed correlation only with occurrence of three or more vaso-occlusive crises. There was no correlation between nitrite levels and the clinical variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results revealed that during the pathogenesis of sickle cell anemia, an increase in lipid peroxidation was observed. On the other hand, no changes in oxidative parameters were detected during treatment with hydroxyurea, probably due to the short period of treatment of the patients studied.
authors.affiliation: Development and Technology Innovation of Drugs, Universidade Federal do Ceará - UFC, Fortaleza, CE, BR.
authors.forename: Darcielle Bruna Dias
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.affiliation: Univerisade Federal do Piauí - UFPI, Teresina, PI, BR.
authors.forename: Rivelilson Mendes de
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.affiliation: Clinical Analyses and Toxicology Department, Universidade Federal do Ceára - UFC, Fortaleza, CE, BR.
authors.forename: Romélia Pinheiro
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Ceará - UFC, Fortaleza, CE, BR.
authors.forename: Hemerson Yuri Ferreira
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídeo, Universidade Federal do Ceará - UFC, Fortaleza, CE, BR.
authors.forename: Jacqueline Holanda de
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Ceará - UFC, Fortaleza, CE, BR.
authors.forename: Silvia Maria Meira
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Magalhães