IRON-DEFICIENCY ANEMIA - RECOVERY FROM IN-VITRO OXIDATIVE STRESS

Red blood cells in iron deficiency anemia (IDA) have a decreased activ ity of essential antioxidant enzymes. The present study examined the e ffect of in vitro exposure to oxidative agents in IDA cells and their recovery capacity. Red cells of 26 IDA patients and 10 healthy subject s were examined. Cells of IDA patients had higher levels of reduced gl utathione (GSH), and normal methemoglobin and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels. Exposure to butyl hydroperoxide revealed a dose-dependent sens itivity in IDA cells, with extensive GSH depletion and increased MDA l evels. These changes were partially reversible by incubation with dith iothreitol. Exposure to phenazine methosulfate, to produce intracellul ar superoxide ions, resulted in moderate GSH depletion and methemoglob in production. IDA cells were more sensitive than control cells to hig h concentrations of this substance. This effect was further augmented by preincubation with a superoxide dismutase inhibitor. Our data demon strate that IDA cells are more susceptible to oxidation but have good capacity for recovery.