SERUM-LIPIDS AND ATHEROGENIC RISK IN SICKLE-CELL TRAIT CARRIERS

This work studies the relationship between a common genetic marker in our population, sickle-cell trait, and atherogenic risk factors. One h undred and twenty-two healthy subjects were studied. Forty-six subject s had normal haemoglobin (HB-AA) while 76 had sickle-cell trait Hb-AS. Mean cholesterol level was higher in subjects with sickle-cell trait (2.82 +/- 0.21 g/I) than in subjects with normal haemoglobin (2.08 +/- 0.40 g/I) used as controls. The difference was statistically signific ant (p < 0.05). HDL cholesterol levels remained in the normal range in controls (Hb-AA) (0.560 +/- 0.10g/I) while subjects with Hb-AS had hi gh HDL-c levels (0.618 +/- 0.30 g/I). Mean LDL cholesterol levels in H b-AS subjects were about 57% higher than those in controls (1.84 +/- 0 .10 g/I and 1.17 +/- 0.30 g/I, respectively) (p < 0.05). Apolipoprotei n Al levels of Hb-AS subjects were lower (1.37 +/- 0.10 g) than those of Hb-AA subjects (1.98 +/- 0.15 g/I), (p < 0.05) while apolipoprotein B concentrations of Hb-AS subjects were higher (1.70 +/- 0.27 gm than in controls (1.30 +/- 0.10 gm (p < 0.05). The, atherogenicity index g iven by the Apo-B/Apo-AI ratio was higher in Hb-AS subjects (1.24) tha n in those with normal haemoglobin (0.65). We conclude that Hb-AS subj ects are at high atherogenic risk if subsequent diet management is not undertaken.