Serum lipids and oxidized low density lipoprotein levels in sickle cell disease: Assessment and pathobiological significance

Abstract

One hundred and eighteen (118) subjects aged 15 to 36 years divided into control subjects (AA n = 42), heterozygous sickle cell patients (AS n = 33) and homozygous sickle cell patients (SS n = 43) were investigated for a lipid profile including the measurement of oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) to assess the risk of early atherosclerosis in sickle cell disease. The results show that total, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and LDL plasma cholesterol levels are significantly lower in the sickle cell patients than in control group (p < 0.05). In contrast, the triglyceride levels, the ratio of triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol and the oxidized LDL fraction are higher in patients (p < 0.05). These lipid abnormalities could represent a cardiovascular risk for sickle cell disease patients.