Evaluation of Erythrocyte Morphology and Antioxidant Enzymes in Patients of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The inflammatory cytokines released in systemic lupus erythematosus (sLE) are suggestive of oxidative stress which can be studied by evaluating the antioxidant enzymes. The oxidative stress is manifested in the circulating RBCs affecting its morphology and antioxidant defenses

The present study aims at evaluating the RBC morphology by studying the various RBC indices and by evaluating the antioxidant enzymes such as catalase(CAT), superoxide dismutase (sOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GPX) in sLE patients.

The study consisted of 40 sLE patients in active disease and 40 healthy controls who were evaluated for total RBC count (t-RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) levels, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (sOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX).

The total RBC count, Hb levels, PCV and MCHC were significantly reduced in sLE patients. The activities of sOD and GPX were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in sLE patients, whereas there was no significant difference observed in CAT activity (p<0.001) in patient group while comparing with controls.

Along with conventional inflammatory markers like elevated CRP and EsR, the antioxidant enzyme activities of sOD and GPX can be be considered as markers of inflammation and disease activation in patients of sLE.