Relationship between fraction of exhaled nitric oxide and peripheral eosinophilia in asthma.

Background: Achieving disease control is the goal of asthma management. Serum or sputum eosinophil counts have been known traditional means of assessing eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma, which is vital in predicting response to corticosteroid therapy which ultimately promotes control of the disease. Evidence suggests that fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) may be a more useful non-invasive surrogate biomarker for the assessment of eosinophilic airway inflammation and could help with the timely adjustment of inhaled corticosteroid therapy in the uncontrolled asthma patient.

Association between pulmonary function and cardiac enzymes in sickle cell disease.

Background: There is scarcity of data on association between lung function and cardiac markers in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Meanwhile, SCD affects multi-organs in any one population. There seem to be an association between reduced pulmonary function with cardiac dysfunction.

Exercise-induced haemoglobin oxygen desaturation in patients with SCD.

Background: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) may experience severe clinical complications when there is low tissue oxygenation due to the increased risk of the polymerization of haemoglobin S in deoxygenated environment. The predictors of oxygen desaturation after exercise is not clear in patients with SCD. The current study compared lung function and six-minute walk test (6MWT) between SCD patients with oxygen desaturation after exercise and those without oxygen desaturation.

Correlation of lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide metabolites, trace elements, and antioxidant enzymes in patients with sickle cell disease.

Background: Lipid peroxidation plays a very important role in sickle cell pathophysiology. The formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) may lead to endothelial dysfunction. Nitric oxide (NO) is a known vasodilator which plays a role in endothelial function.

Serum Potassium, Sodium, and Chloride Levels in Sickle Cell Disease Patients and Healthy Controls: A Case-Control Study at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra.

The activity of Na-K ATPase is altered in sickle cell disease (SCD), which affects serum electrolyte levels. This alteration is associated with several complications in sickle cell patients. This study evaluated the serum levels of sodium, potassium, and chloride in patients with SCD.

Total Serum Magnesium Levels and Calcium-To-Magnesium Ratio in Sickle Cell Disease.

Imbalance of calcium/magnesium ratio could lead to clinical complications in sickle cell disease (SCD). Low levels of magnesium have been associated with sickling, increased polymerization and vaso-occlusion (VOC) in sickle cell due to cell dehydration. The K-Cl cotransport plays a very important role in sickle cell dehydration and is inhibited by significantly increasing levels of magnesium.

Serum Iron Levels and Copper-to-Zinc Ratio in Sickle Cell Disease.

: Altered copper and zinc homeostasis may influence the antioxidant defense system and consequently lead to oxidative stress and associated complications in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Iron levels have been reported to increase in sickle cell patients due to frequent blood transfusion, chronic intravenous haemolysis and increased absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract. These elevated levels of iron may also lead to extensive oxidative damage.

Oxidative Profile of Patients with Sickle Cell Disease.

Oxidative stress plays a very significant role in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD) and associated complications. Oxidative stress, which is often experienced by SCD patients as a result of continuous production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), may lead to endothelial dysfunction and acute inflammation. Antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), often play a protective role.

Correlation Between Soluble Endothelial Adhesion Molecules and Nitric Oxide Metabolites in Sickle Cell Disease.

Nitric Oxide (NO) and soluble adhesion molecules are promising biomarkers, which predict endothelial dysfunction in sickle cell disease (SCD). Several studies have investigated the relationship between NO (as well as its metabolites) and endothelial adhesion molecules in SCD. However, these studies were done mainly in the developed world, and it is difficult to extrapolate the findings to SCD populations in other geographical regions such as Africa due to significant disparities in the results.

Hematological parameters in Ghanaian sickle cell disease patients.

Background: Effective treatment and management of sickle cell disease (SCD) has been a challenge in Africa over the years. Hematological parameters are very useful profiles in the effective management of the disease. However, there is scarcity of studies on the hematological parameters of SCD in Ghana.

Nitric Oxide and Pre-Eclampsia: A Comparative Study in Ghana.

Background: Preeclampsia is one of the commonest aetiologies of foetal and maternal mortality and morbidity. Though common, the aetiology of preeclampsia has remained unknown with several inconclusive theories surrounding the disease. Recent studies have implicated vascular endothelial dysfunction and possibly nitric oxide in preeclampsia.

Elevated Proangiogenic Markers are Associated with Vascular Complications within Ghanaian Sickle Cell Disease Patients.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that can result in vasculopathy and end organ damage. Angiogenesis has been implicated as a key contributing factor to vascular mediated tissue injury in SCD. The relative plasma levels of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) greatly influence angiogenesis.

Levels of Soluble Endothelium Adhesion Molecules and Complications among Sickle Cell Disease Patients in Ghana.

Background: Soluble adhesion molecules are involved in the gathering and joining of inflammatory cells to vascular endothelium. Therefore, they serve as potential markers of endothelial dysfunction in vascular diseases including sickle cell disease (SCD). In Ghana, there are scarcely any report on the levels of adhesion molecules among SCD patients.