Abstract:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is inherited chronic haemolytic anemias whose red blood cells have characteristic sickle shape. Cytokines are the hormonal messengers responsible for biological effects in the immune system.
SCA is associated with a pro-inflammatory state, and an enhanced inflammatory response occurs during vaso-occlusive crisis via cytokines effects.
This case-control analytical study was aimed to evaluate the IL-10 levels in Sudanese sickle cell anemia patients during vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and the steady state conditions and in control subjects in Khartoum state during the period from July to December (2018).
Sixty SCA patients age between 4-17 years were selected randomly, grouped into steady-state (n=30) and vaso-occlusion crisis (n=30) conditions. 28 of age and sex- matched control subjects were enrolled in this study. Venous blood sample (3ml) was collected in plain container from each subject and (2.5ml) in EDTA container. IL-10 concentration was measured using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) (Biolegend's ELISA MAXTM) in Institute of Endemic Diseases. Hb concentration was tested used complete blood count (CBC) device. The data was analyzed using SPSS program (Version 16) using oneway ANOVA test and independent T-test for testing difference significance, correlation test for finding potential correlation.
The result showed that means of IL-10 were (9.84± 6.4), (36.84±45.4), (14.01±16.4) in the steady state patients, VOC patients and control subjects respectively. IL-10 level was significantly elevated in VOC patients than the steady state group and control group (P. values were 0.811 and 0.007 respectively). There was no significant difference between IL-10 level in the steady state patients and controls (p. value 0.003). Hb level was significantly decreased in VOC group than the steady state group (P. value 0.000). There was no statistical correlation between IL-10 and Hb levels and age in the three groups (P. values 0.214 in steady state, 0.568 in VOC and 0.868 in controls). The difference in mean of IL-10 between males and females of the three groups was not statistically significant (P. values 0.413 in steady state, 0.715 in VOC, and 0.485 in controls).
The study concluded that in the studied population, IL-10 concentration may be a useful VOC prognostic marker.
