"Probably with the addition of an iron chelator"
Amelioration of oxidative stress in red blood cells from patients with -thalassemia major and intermedia and E--thalassemia following administration of a fermented papaya preparation
Phytotherapy Research
Early View (Articles online in advance of print)
Published Online: 1 Feb 2010
Eitan Fibach 1 *, Ee-Shien Tan 2, Saumya Jamuar 2, Ivy Ng 2, Johnny Amer 1, Eliezer A. Rachmilewitz 3
1Department of Hematology, Hadassah - Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
2Department of Paediatric Medicine and Genetics Service, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
3Department of Hematology, The E. Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
email: Eitan Fibach ()
*Correspondence to Eitan Fibach, Department of Hematology, Hadassah - Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein-Kerem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
Abstract
In -hemoglobinopathies, such as -thalassemia (thal) and sickle cell anemia, the primary defects are mutations in the -globin gene.
However, many aspects of the pathophysiology are mediated by oxidative stress.
Fermented papaya preparation (FPP), a natural health food product obtained by biofermentation of carica papaya, has been shown to limit oxidative stress both in vitro and in vivo.
We studied the effect of FPP on two groups of -thal patients: -thal, major and intermedia, (in Israel) and E--thal (in Singapore).
The results indicated that in both groups FPP treatment increased the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in red blood cells (RBC), and decreased their reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, membrane lipid peroxidation, and externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS), indicating amelioration of their oxidative status, without a significant change in the hematological parameters.
Since the turnover of the erythron is relatively slow, it is possible that longer duration of treatment, probably with the addition of an iron chelator, is required in order to achieve the latter goals.
Keywords
hemoglobinopathies • thalassemia • erythrocyte • free radicals • antioxidants • flow cytometry
10.1002/ptr.3116
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