PLASMA IRON AND ERYTHROCYTIC GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE-ACTIVITY - POSSIBLE MECHANISM FOR OXIDATIVE HEMOLYSIS IN IRON-DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 17  (2) , 111-116
Abstract
The red cell glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of 9 normal subjects was compared with that of 15 cases of Fe deficiency anemia and with 13 cases of heterozygous .beta.-thalassemia with the same degree of anemia and hypochromia. Two cases of sideroblastic anemia with high serum Fe levels were also examined. Enzymatic activity was significantly decreased in Fe deficiency anemia (about 55% of normal range), while it was not affected in heterozygous .beta.-thalassemia and it was increased in the 2 cases of sideroblastic anemia. GSH-Px activity exhibited a significant correlation with serum Fe levels in all the patients studied. The observed modifications in GSH-Px activity were not correlated with erythrocyte aging because reticulocyte-poor fractions exhibited GSH-Px activity which was not significantly reduced in respect of the reticulocyte-rich ones. Apparently, Fe has a crucial connection with erythrocyte GSH-Px and the enzyme deficiency may be of some importance in explaining the decreased red cell survival observed in severe Fe-deficiency anemias.