1. Amelioration of oxidative stress in red blood cells from patients with beta-thalassemia major and intermedia and E-beta-thalassemia following administration of a fermented papaya preparation.
- Author
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Fibach E, Tan ES, Jamuar S, Ng I, Amer J, and Rachmilewitz EA
- Subjects
- Antioxidants pharmacology, Cell Membrane metabolism, Erythrocytes metabolism, Female, Fermentation, Fruit, Glutathione blood, Humans, Israel, Lipid Peroxidation drug effects, Male, Phosphatidylserines metabolism, Plant Preparations pharmacology, Reactive Oxygen Species blood, Singapore, beta-Thalassemia blood, Antioxidants therapeutic use, Carica, Erythrocytes drug effects, Oxidative Stress drug effects, Phytotherapy, Plant Preparations therapeutic use, beta-Thalassemia drug therapy
- Abstract
In beta-hemoglobinopathies, such as beta-thalassemia (thal) and sickle cell anemia, the primary defects are mutations in the beta-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 beta-thal patients: beta-thal, major and intermedia, (in Israel) and E-beta-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., (Copyright 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)
- Published
- 2010
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