European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ANTIOXIDANT-MEDIATED HEINZ BODIES LEVELS OF SICKLE ERYTHROCYTES UNDER DRUG - INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS

Aloh, G. S, *Obeagu, Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Okoroiwu, I.L., Odo, Christian Emeka,Odo Matthew Chibunna, Kanu,S.N, Elemchukwu, Q., Okpara,K.E., Ugwu, Getrude Uzoma,

ABSTRACT

Heinz bodies formation was studied in control (non-HbSS) and sickle (HbSS) erythrocytes in which oxidative stress was induced with acetylphenylhydrazine and subsequently treated separately with ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol. The control erythrocytes bore no Heinz bodies before APHZ treatment. On exposure to APHZ, their mean Heinz bodies level rose significantly (p<0.05) to 2.40 ± 0.05% but was also significantly (p<0.05) lowered to 1.60 ± 0.05% and 0.98 ± 0.02% by ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol respectively. Up to 10% of the sickle erythrocytes had Heinz bodies prior to APHZ treatment, 84.20 ± 5.69% had these bodies after APHZ treatment, while ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol significantly (p<0.05) but not satisfactorily reduced the mean Heinz bodies levels to 75.40 ± 2.12% and 70.30 ± 4.90%. Generally, α- tocopherol was found to be more effective in counteracting the APHZ-induced Heinz bodies formation in the erythrocytes studied.

Keywords: Heinz bodies, acetylphenylhydrazine, antioxidants, sickle cell, ascorbic acid, ?-tocopherol.