Elevated levels of Plasma Procoagulant Microvesicles in Saudi Children in Steady-state Sickle cell Disease

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder resulting from the presence of a mutated form of hemoglobin;known as hemoglobin S (HbS).It is characterized by various complications, including thrombosis. Increased levels of circulating procoagulantmicrovesilces (MVs) had been reported in this disease and many other diseases, which are causing the plasma to have prothrombotic tendency. Objectives: This study compares the levels of circulating MVs in Saudi children with SCD intheir steady state with their healthy matched controls (HMCs). Method: Citrated whole blood was collected from 102 children homozygous for sickle hemoglobin (HbSS) (aged from 2 to 18 years-old) and 51 HMCs.MVswere measured using an indirect ELISA method. Results:The mean level of MVsin the Saudi children with SCD is significantly higher than in HMCs (30.49 ± 2.84 vs 14.41 ± 1.68 nM)(P = 0.0002). Males with SCD children showed higher mean levels of MPs in their plasma than females but that was not statistically significant(36.97 ± 5.42 nM) vs (27.66 ± 3.29 nM) (P = 0.13). Conclusion: This study demonstrateda significantly high plasma level of MVsin Saudi children with SCD than the HMCs. Male children with SCD showed higher level of MVsthan females and younger children had lower levels than older children.