In vitro-Modulation of HbS Erythrocyte Parameters By Prednisolone Testing For Fe2+/Fe3+ Ratio, HbS Gelation and Osmotic Fragility
Okoye Ngozi Franca *
Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba Rivers State, Nigeria.
Amadi Benjamin Achor
Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba Rivers State, Nigeria.
Okoro Miriam
Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The study is targeted at the sickle cell disease. It has been discovered that some drugs or medications taken for certain ailments are either pro-sickling or anti-sickling in nature. In this study, acorticosteroid by the name of prednisolone was investigated to determineits possible effects on human haemoglobin-S gelation, erythrocyte fragility and Fe2+ and Fe3+ concentrations.
Materials and Method: The blood sample of 5ml was collected from adult male and female donors by vein puncture using a 5 ml syringe and needle. The blood samples were confirmed as HbSS using standard haemoglobin electrophoresis. Various concentrations of the drug (0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml) were used to determine the effects on human haemoglobin-S, gelation rate, erythrocyte fragility, Fe2+& Fe3+ concentrations. Absorbance reading was taken at 540 nm using a spectrophotometer.
Results: The results showed that Prednisolone increased haemoglobin S gelation at all concentrations (p< 0.05) when compared to the control. The Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio showed a reduction in haemoglobin values at 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml concentrations when compared to the control and a slight increase at 0.05 and 0.1 mg/ml. For Erythrocyte Fragility, there was destabilization of red cell in all concentrations.
Conclusion: This study suggests that this drug could have some undesirable effects on sickle cell subjects.
Keywords: Erythrocyte, fragility, gelation, haemoglobin, prednisolone, sickle cell.