L- Arginine and Nitric Oxide Levels among Children with Sickle Cell Disease in a Steady State in Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Northeastern Nigeria
S. Abubakar *
Women and Children Hospital, Gombe State, Nigeria
O. Erhabor
Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
I. Z. Issac
Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
A. B. Ibrahim
Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Van Dyke Knox
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, West Virginia University Medical School, Morgantown, United States of America
S. Yuguda
Department of Haematology, Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria
A. Girei
Department of Haematology, Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria
S. Adamu
Department of Haematology, Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria
A. Saidu
Department of Haematology, Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria
M. Bello
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
B. H. Tilako
Ministry of Health, Gombe State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Sickle cell disease is a global public health problem. L-arginine is an amino acid that helps in improving blood in the arteries of the heart and improved symptoms of clogged arteries, chest pain or angina and coronary arteries disease. Nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and improve circulation. The l-arginine and nitric oxide levels of sickle cell disease (SCD) subjects with steady stages were also significantly low. The objective of this study was to evaluate L-arginine and Nitric oxide levels in children with sickle cell disease at steady state for 8 weeks. This study included children with a confirmed HbSS electrophoretic pattern aged 1-14 years presented to the sickle cell clinic unit of Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe. The L-arginine and nitric oxide levels were significantly higher post supplementation compared to baseline levels (p = 0.002 and 0.000 respectively). It is recommended that L-arginine supplementation be included in the management of patients with sickle cell disease. L-arginine supplement should be made available in the paediatric emergency unit, clinic and pharmacy department as given to patients with sickle cell disease to prevent the adverse effects during the crisis and potentially reduce the length of stay in the hospital.
Keywords: Sickle cell anaemia, Nitric oxide and L-Arginine