The activity of superoxide dismutase in hydroxyurea-treated E beta thalassemia.

Aim: To study the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in hydroxyurea (HU)-treated E beta thalassaemia.

Methods: We have measured SOD level, HbF, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) of E beta thalassaemia treated with HU (dose 30 mg/kg/day) for consecutive 90 days.

Result: The increase of HbF synthesis without increase of Hb was observed in HU-treated patients.

Conclusion: The decreased SOD level in long term and low dose of HU therapy in E beta thalassaemia may have some role to inhibit superoxide radical of erythrocyte. HU may act as inhibitor for oxidative damage of red cell in E beta thalassaemia.