Fetal hemoglobin response to hydroxyurea in Yemeni sickle cell disease patients.

To assess the Hb F response to hydroxyurea (HU) in Yemeni sickle cell disease, 86 patients attending hospitals in Sana'a City, Yemen, were studied. Group I (short-term follow-up, n = 21) were treated with 500 mg/day HU for 3-6 months; group II (long-term, n = 26) were treated with 500 mg/day HU for 8-48 months; group III were untreated (n = 39). Hb F levels were monitored using cation exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Khat a drug of abuse: roles of free radicals and antioxidants.

Many articles have reviewed the health impact of Khat consumption; however the role of free radicals in the pathogenesis associated with short- and long-term consumption of Khat is absent in the literature. As free radicals and antioxidants converge across various mechanisms in normal physiological function and in disease, this review attempts to uncover the role of endogenous free radicals and the mechanism of cellular injury associated with Khat consumption.

Free radicals are present in human serum of Catha edulis Forsk (Khat) abusers.

Objective: Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is a naturally occurring drug with an amphetamine-like structure and action. It has been postulated that amphetamine induces free radical formation. On this basis, we have hypothesized that Khat may promote synthesis of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the same way that amphetamine promotes free radical production.