Arginine supplementation improves lactate dehydrogenase levels in steady-state sickle cell patients: preliminary findings from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo
BackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD) disrupts oxygen transport due to the abnormal shape and rigidity of red blood cells, leading to hemolysis. Hemolysis, a major co-morbidity in SCD, is indicated by elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Arginine depletion, which is essential for nitric oxi...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pain Research |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2024.1391666/full |
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| author | Ange C. M. Ngonde Ange C. M. Ngonde Philippe N. Lukanu Philippe N. Lukanu Ange Mubiala Michel N. Aloni |
| author_facet | Ange C. M. Ngonde Ange C. M. Ngonde Philippe N. Lukanu Philippe N. Lukanu Ange Mubiala Michel N. Aloni |
| author_sort | Ange C. M. Ngonde |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD) disrupts oxygen transport due to the abnormal shape and rigidity of red blood cells, leading to hemolysis. Hemolysis, a major co-morbidity in SCD, is indicated by elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Arginine depletion, which is essential for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, contributes to various complications in SCD. L-arginine supplementation may increase NO levels and reduce oxidative stress. Research on its benefits in SCD, which is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, is limited. This study evaluates the effect of arginine supplementation on LDH levels in patients with steady state SCD.MethodsIn a retrospective study, we evaluated the effect of arginine supplementation on LDH levels in a cohort of 31 patients. We divided the study into three phases: pre-HU treatment, HU treatment, and combined HU and arginine supplementation.ResultsThe cohort had a median age of 12 years, ranging from 2 to 43 years. Throughout all three phases of the study, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were consistently above the established normal ranges, with elevations of 216.7%, 220.3% and 176.6% above the normative values for baseline, Phase 1 (HU) and Phase 2 (HU + Arg), respectively. Specifically, LDH levels were 649.7 ± 364.2 U/L in Baseline Phase, 661.6 ± 367 U/L in Phase 1, and 529.9 ± 346.3 U/L in Phase 2. When comparing these discrete study intervals, it is noteworthy that LDH levels were significantly lower in Phase 2 compared to the previous phases (p = 0.002).ConclusionPreliminary findings revealed a significant lower LDH levels among sickle cell patients receiving combined arginine supplementation and hydroxyurea (HU). Although these findings are promising, their credibility and applicability require further and more extensive research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-56c3112e728f44dcb64e2d48d29dfeac |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-561X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pain Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-56c3112e728f44dcb64e2d48d29dfeac2024-11-22T06:17:23ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pain Research2673-561X2024-11-01510.3389/fpain.2024.13916661391666Arginine supplementation improves lactate dehydrogenase levels in steady-state sickle cell patients: preliminary findings from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of CongoAnge C. M. Ngonde0Ange C. M. Ngonde1Philippe N. Lukanu2Philippe N. Lukanu3Ange Mubiala4Michel N. Aloni5Polyclinique de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of CongoDepartment de Médecine de Famille et Soins de Santé Primaires, Université Protestante du Congo, Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of CongoPolyclinique de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of CongoDepartment de Médecine de Famille et Soins de Santé Primaires, Université Protestante du Congo, Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of CongoInstitut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of CongoDépartement de Pédiatrie, Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Kinshasa (UNIKIN), Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of CongoBackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD) disrupts oxygen transport due to the abnormal shape and rigidity of red blood cells, leading to hemolysis. Hemolysis, a major co-morbidity in SCD, is indicated by elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Arginine depletion, which is essential for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, contributes to various complications in SCD. L-arginine supplementation may increase NO levels and reduce oxidative stress. Research on its benefits in SCD, which is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, is limited. This study evaluates the effect of arginine supplementation on LDH levels in patients with steady state SCD.MethodsIn a retrospective study, we evaluated the effect of arginine supplementation on LDH levels in a cohort of 31 patients. We divided the study into three phases: pre-HU treatment, HU treatment, and combined HU and arginine supplementation.ResultsThe cohort had a median age of 12 years, ranging from 2 to 43 years. Throughout all three phases of the study, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were consistently above the established normal ranges, with elevations of 216.7%, 220.3% and 176.6% above the normative values for baseline, Phase 1 (HU) and Phase 2 (HU + Arg), respectively. Specifically, LDH levels were 649.7 ± 364.2 U/L in Baseline Phase, 661.6 ± 367 U/L in Phase 1, and 529.9 ± 346.3 U/L in Phase 2. When comparing these discrete study intervals, it is noteworthy that LDH levels were significantly lower in Phase 2 compared to the previous phases (p = 0.002).ConclusionPreliminary findings revealed a significant lower LDH levels among sickle cell patients receiving combined arginine supplementation and hydroxyurea (HU). Although these findings are promising, their credibility and applicability require further and more extensive research.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2024.1391666/fullsickle cell diseaseL-argininehydroxyureaLDHDemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC) |
| spellingShingle | Ange C. M. Ngonde Ange C. M. Ngonde Philippe N. Lukanu Philippe N. Lukanu Ange Mubiala Michel N. Aloni Arginine supplementation improves lactate dehydrogenase levels in steady-state sickle cell patients: preliminary findings from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo Frontiers in Pain Research sickle cell disease L-arginine hydroxyurea LDH Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) |
| title | Arginine supplementation improves lactate dehydrogenase levels in steady-state sickle cell patients: preliminary findings from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_full | Arginine supplementation improves lactate dehydrogenase levels in steady-state sickle cell patients: preliminary findings from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_fullStr | Arginine supplementation improves lactate dehydrogenase levels in steady-state sickle cell patients: preliminary findings from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_full_unstemmed | Arginine supplementation improves lactate dehydrogenase levels in steady-state sickle cell patients: preliminary findings from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_short | Arginine supplementation improves lactate dehydrogenase levels in steady-state sickle cell patients: preliminary findings from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_sort | arginine supplementation improves lactate dehydrogenase levels in steady state sickle cell patients preliminary findings from kinshasa the democratic republic of congo |
| topic | sickle cell disease L-arginine hydroxyurea LDH Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2024.1391666/full |
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