Possible effects of antioxidant status on increased platelet aggregation in childhood iron-deficiency anemia

Background: Alterations in platelet function and antioxidant status in chil dren with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) have been reported previously. The p resent study was performed to better understand possible interactions betwe en these two systems. Methods: Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutath ione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and platelet function were evaluated in 1 5 children (aged 1 1/2-15 years) with IDA. The antioxidant enzyme activity was determined spectrophotometrically. Platelet aggregation and secretion s tudies were performed using impedance and bioluminescence methods, respecti vely. Ten age-matched healthy children were included as a control group. Results: There were no differences in SOD and CAT activities between patien ts and controls. However, GSH-Px activity was significantly lower in the ir on-deficient children. Platelet aggregation responses to collagen and ADP w ere also significantly higher in iron-deficient children than in controls. Conclusions: Decreased antioxidant defense in IDA may cause increased oxida nt stress, which, in turn, may result in a tendency towards platelet aggreg ation.