Hepcidin and Erythropoietin Level in Sickle Cell Disease
Johnkennedy Nnodim *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Udujih Bernard Uche
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Specialist Hospital Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Udujih Helen Ifeoma
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Nwaokoro Joakin Chidozie
Department of Public Health, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi
Diagnostic Laboratory Unit, University Health Services, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Aloy-Amadi Oluchi
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited disorder in which the red blood cells become rigid and sticky, and change from being disc-shaped to being crescent-shaped. The change in shape is as a result of an abnormal form of haemoglobin which leads to damage of some organs.
Aim: The study was carried out to determine the levels of hepcidin and erythropoietin in sickle cell anemia.
Materials and Methods: Thirty confirmed sickle cell patients in steady state (HbSS-SS) and thirty persons with normal hemoglobin (HbAA) between the ages of 15 to 30 years were selected in this study.
Results: The results obtained showed that the levels of hepcidinin sickle cell anaemia patients were significantly elevated when compared with normal haemoglobin (HbAA) (P<0.05). However, the levels of erythropoietin were significantly decreased in sickle cell anaemia stable state when compared to HbAA subjects (P<0.05).
Conclusion: This could probably imply that the elevation in hepcidin affect level of erythropoietin negatively. Therefore, it is possible that an antihepcidin could be developed as a therapeutic tool in sickle cell anaemia.
Keywords: Hepcidin, erythropoietin, sickle cell anaemia.