Glycosylated haemoglobin HbA1c and HbS1c in non-diabetic Nigerians.

Normal glycosylated haemoglobin levels were determined by the Bio-Rad Haemoglobin A1c by Column Assay, in a large series of non-diabetic Nigerians. Subjects having normal haemoglobin genotype (HbAA) and the common haemoglobinopathies, namely heterozygous sickle cell trait (HbAS) and homozygous sickle-cell anaemia (HbSS) were studied. The group mean uncorrected %HbS1c levels in the HbSS subjects were significantly higher than %HbA1c levels in the HbAA (p less than 0.

Sickle discocytes form more rouleaux in vitro than normal erythrocytes.

Rouleaux formation of washed erythrocytes was studied in 32 normal (HbAA) individuals and 30 sickle cell anaemia (HbSS) patients. Washed red cells were suspended in their plasma and rouleaux formation visualized with the aid of an inverted microscope connected to a video camera-monitor unit. Aggregation rate was studied by visual particle counting.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in homozygous sickle-cell anaemia.

Concurrent sickle-cell disease and diabetes mellitus is rare. The first case of the co-existence of these two disorders to be identified in Nigeria, West Africa, is presented.

Concurrent sickle cell disease and diabetes mellitus.

In an attempt to test our hypothesis that a child with sickle cell disease who developed diabetes mellitus early enough, could pass through the various stages of life undetected due to the protection offered by the glycosylation of sickle Hb, we have searched for evidence of the co-existence of the two diseases in Nigerians. We were, however, unable to find any HbSS-diabetic. This study, therefore, shows the extremely low prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus in sickle-cell anaemia subjects, which makes it difficult for us to test our hypothesis.

Therapeutic effect of aspirin in sickle cell anaemia.

This work was carried out to demonstrate the possibility of beneficial therapeutic effects of aspirin in sickle cell anaemia patients. Two groups of 50 patients each, with haemoglobin genotype SS were studied, one group receiving soluble aspirin daily for 6 weeks, while the other was used as a control. There was evidence of increase in oxygen affinity, in haemoglobin levels, and in the life span of RBC, probably due to acetylation of HbS.