Study of the levels of advanced Glycation End Products in Sickle Cell Patients

Abstract

ickle cell disease (SCD) is a hemoglobinopathy characterized by hemolytic anemia, increased susceptibility to infections and vaso-occlusion leading to reduced quality of life and life expectancy. SCD is caused by a point mutation in a single gene, which results in a mutant β-globin protein (HbS), in which the sixth amino acid is changed from glutamic acid to valine. In the homozygous and some compound heterozygous states, deoxygenated HbS molecules form polymers, which damage the red cell membrane and increase its rigidity.