Abstract

Sickle cell anemia is associated with recurrent multi-organ ischemia and infarction. This study was aimed at
determining the level of the markers of myocardial infarction and atherogenicity in subjects with sickle cell trait. A
total of 30 subjects were recruited for the study of which 10 were subjects with HbAS, 10 were subjects with HbSS
while 10 were healthy subjects. Five (5mls) of fresh venous blood was collected from all the participants by
venepuncture using sterile needle and syringe. Lipid profile, aspartate amino transferase, lactate dehydrogenase and
troponin were determined using enzymatic method while troponin was determined using ELISA method. All values
were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA. Values with
level of significance (p<0.05) was considered to be statistically significant. There was a significant increase (p=0.014,
p=0.000, p=0.000, p=0.000 respectively) in the mean values of triglyceride (127.5±31.21)mg/dl, lactate
dehydrogenase (692±152.68)u/l, troponin (2.35±0.59)ng/ml and aspartate amino transferase (67.9±16.59)ug/ml in
HbSS subjects compared to control subjects (95.92±22.79)mg/dl, (378.10±105.72)U/L, (0.11±0.06)ng/ml and
(18.9±4.95) respectively. The mean value of T Chol, HDL and LDL were significantly reduced (p=0.000, p=0.001,
p=0.000 respectively) in HbSS subjects (172.68±14.82)mg/dl, (60.75±7.12)mg/dl and (91.55±16.55)ug/ml when
compared to control subjects total cholesterol (129.03±37.62)mg/dl, high density lipoprotein (41.10±10.85)mg/dl
and low density lipoprotein (69.06±10.54)mg/dl. There was a significant increase (p=0.002, p=0.000, and p=0.006
respectively) in the mean value of lactate dehydrogenase (515.60±62.39)U/L, troponin (1.29±0.76)ng/ml and
aspartate amino transferase (25.50±7.32)U/L in HbAS subjects compared to control subjects (378.10±105.72)U/L,
(0.11±0.06)ng/ml and (18.9±4.95)U/L respectively. The mean value of total cholesterol and high density
lipoprotein were significantly reduced (p=0.001 and p=0.009 respectively) in HbAS subjects (153.49±9.13)mg/dl
and (52.45±5.99)mg/dl when compared to control subjects total cholesterol (172.68±14.82)mg/dl and high density
lipoprotein (60.75±7.12)mg/dl. The mean value of triglyceride and low density lipoprotein showed no significant
difference (p=0.448 and p=0.192) in HbAS subjects (94.27±21.47)mg/dl and (86.52±9.87)mg/dl when compared to
control subjects (95.92±22.79)mg/dl and (91.55±16.55)mg/dl. There was a significant increase (p=0.001, p=0.011,
p=0.002 respectively) in the mean value of total cholesterol (153.49±9.13)mg/dl, high density lipoprotein
(52.45±5.99)mg/dl and low density lipoprotein (86.52±9.87)mg/dl in HbAS subjects when compared to HbSS
subjects (129.03±37.62)mg/dl, (41.10±10.85)mg/dl and (69.06±10.54)mg/dl respectively. The mean value of
Triglyceride, Lactate Dehydrogenase, Troponin and Aspartate Amino Transferase were significantly reduced
(p=0.002, p=0.005, p=0.002 and p=0.000 respectively) in HbAS Patients (94.27±21.47)mg/dl, (515.60±62.39)u/l,
(1.29±0.76)ng/ml and (25.50±7.32)u/L when compared to HbSS subjects (127.5±31.21)mg/dl, (692±152.68)u/l,(2.35±0.59)ng/ml and (67.9±16.59)u/l. Though there were some differences in the individual results, sickle cell
disease is associated with increased level of triglyceride, lactate dehydrogenase, troponin and aspartate amino
transferase and a decreased level of T Chol, HDL and LDL. From these results, there is a clear indication of
derangement of lipid metabolism and dyslipidaemia, which suggest association of sickle cell disease with
cardiovascular diseases