Plasma ascorbic acid concentration and some haematological parameters in homozygous sickle cell disease in Enugu metropolis

Abstract

Aim: To determine the plasma ascorbic acid concentration, haematocrit, reticulocyte count and blood cell morphology in homozygous sickle cell disease in Enugu metropolis. Materals and Methods: Forty known sickle cell anaemia patients (HbSS) and ten non-sicklers (HbAA) were used as tests and controls respectively. In both cases, whole blood samples were collected in EDTA bottles. Plasma ascorbic acid concentration was determined by Roe and Kenther method while haematological parameters were by the method of Dacie and Lewis. Results: The mean results obtained in sicklers were: ascorbic acid 0.60± 0.13mmol/L; reticulocyte 5.7 ±2.3%; haemotocrit 0.19 ±0.33L/L. In steady state, the following results were obtained: ascorbic acid 0.32 ± 0.14 mmol/L; reticulocytes 6.5 ± 2.2%, haematocrit 0.21 ±0.05 L/L. The mean results for vasoocclusive crisis state were: ascorbic acid 0.35 ±0.15mmol/L; reticulocyte 6.0±3.0%; haematocrit 0.39 ± 0.14 L/L. The results for the control subjects were ascorbic acid 1.42 ±0.70mmol/L; reticulocyte 21.±1.7%; haematocrit 0.39±0.14L/L. The blood cell morphology in sicklers showed moderate to marked anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, hypochromia, polychromasia, target cells and normoblastosis. The blood cells in control were normocytic and normochromic. Ascorbic acid, Reticulocyte and Haematocrit levels showed significant difference (p0.05) Conclusion: The results suggest that ascorbic acid concentration in plasma of sicklers in Enugu metropolis is lower than normal subjects, while vaso-occulsive sickling crisis does not appear to change the concentration in sickle cell disease. The results also show that haematological changes occur in sickle cell disease.

Keywords

• ascorbic acid
• sickle cell disease
• haematological parameters