Evaluation of Endothelin-1 as a Marker of Endothelial Activation in Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia in a tertiary Hospital in South-South Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtmbr.v6i2.3Keywords:
Endothelin-1, Sickle Cell Anaemia, Vaso- Occlusive Crises, Endothelial activationAbstract
Background: Endothelial activation, which often occurs in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) patients as a result of oxidative stress, may lead to endothelial dysfunction and acute inflammation. Evaluation of endothelin-1 levels in Vaso occlusive crisis (VOC) may help identify therapeutic targets in the management of SCD.
Materials and Methods: This study aims to assess the role of endothelial activation in the pathophysiology of VOC using endothelin-1 in patients with sickle cell disease managed at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. This was a longitudinal study conducted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State between April 2018 and August 2019. Thirty-five patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) were evaluated during VOC and later re-evaluated in steady-state. Thirty-five HbAA subjects, matched for age and sex with the SCA population were recruited as controls. Endothelin -1 (ET- 1) concentrations were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.
Results: The age range of the SCA patients was 18 – 45 years with a mean SD of 27.7 + 6.7 years. The mean endothelin-1 levels in SCA patients in steady state, VOC and control subjects were 9.35mM, 13.79mM and 4.80mM respectively. The mean ET-1 levels in SCA patients in steady-state and VOC was significantly increased compared to the control subjects (p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between ET-1 and number of VOCs per year (p = 0.108) and the number of admissions per year (p < 0.005).
Conclusion: SCA is associated with increased endothelial activation which may contribute to the pathogenesis of VOC. This finding may be important in determining the role of the use of anti-inflammatory therapies in the management of SCD.
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