Involvement of oxidative stress in hemolytic anemia

Abstract

Hemolytic anemias involve the premature destruction of red blood cells. Although oxidative stress is not the primary etiology of most hemolytic anemias, it mediates several of their pathologies, including hemolysis. It is generated in red blood cells and other blood cells by several causes, most commonly by iron overload. This chapter describes the role of oxidative stress and the therapeutic potential of antioxidants in various hemolytic anemias. Emphasis will be given to results obtained by flow cytometry for measuring oxidative stress parameters, including labile iron, as well as the antioxidant activities in various peripheral blood cells. This methodology enables the evaluation of the patient's status with respect to oxidative stress as well as monitoring of the effect of treatment.