Study of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants Status in Iron Deficient Anemic Patients

Background: Anemia is the single most common disorder affecting mankind seen in all parts of the world, developed as well as developing countries. In India nearly 70 % people are estimated to be iron deficient. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the oxidative stress in terms of lipid peroxidation products and non-enzymatic antioxidants in patients with iron deficient anemia (IDA).

Materials and methods: The study consisted of forty (40) age and sex matched IDA and healthy volunteers. Malondialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxides was assessed to determine the lipid peroxidation products. The enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamin A, C and E) were also determined.

Results and Discussion: Plasma levels of MDA were increased in patients with iron deficiency anemia in comparison to healthy volunteers significantly at p< 0.005. Likewise, the antioxidant enzymes and non- enzymatic antioxidants were significantly decreased at p< 0.001.

Conclusion: Our findings indicated a possible role of increased oxidative stress resulting in increased lipid peroxidation and altered enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, which might be important to the pathophysiology of IDA. The severity of IDA can be prevented by antioxidant supplementation and also diet rich in antioxidants.