Fidelis Ohiremen OYAKHIRE, Grace Oluwapelumi BONIDEFAYE, Kikachukwu Favour OSAHOR, Juliana Edusola OLANIYAN, Tena Gloria LEMON, Jennifer Osadebamwen EDOKPAYI, Emmanuel Onosetale AFEIKHENA, Valentine IKALUMHE, Samson EFENARHUA, Osamwonyi Ernest IGBINOVIA
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a highly prevalent inherited hemoglobinopathy in high-burden regions such as Nigeria, characterized by chronic hemolysis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction, which contribute to vaso-occlusive crises, pulmonary hypertension, and organ damage. This study aimed to assess NO, TNF-α, and MDA as integrated biomarkers of oxidative endothelial injury in SCD. A comparative cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in Benin City among SCD patients and apparently healthy controls. The study included 135 participants (90 SCD patients and 45 healthy controls). Following ethical approval and informed consent, serum NO, TNF-α, and MDA were measured using ELISA, while dietary intake was assessed using a reliable food frequency questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.702). Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, Pearson correlation, and multivariable regression (p < 0.05). Compared with controls, SCD patients had significantly higher MDA (9.06 ± 1.89 vs. 2.25 ± 0.57 nmol/mL) and TNF-α (45.11 ± 10.26 vs. 5.82 ± 1.92 pg/mL), but markedly lower NO levels (11.20 ± 3.44 vs. 46.22 ± 8.19 µmol/L) (all p = 0.001). Regression models (R² = 0.887–0.895) identified antioxidant supplementation as the strongest predictor of lower MDA and TNF-α and higher NO, while hydration may be associated with lower MDA. These findings support integrated biomarker assessment and emphasize antioxidant support and adequate hydration as practical strategies for improving SCD management in resource-limited settings.
Keywords: Lipid peroxidation, Oxidative Endothelial Injury, Sickle Cell Disease, Nitric Oxide Depletion, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Activation
https://doi.org/10.59854/dhrrh.2026.4.3.143
Cite this article
Oyakhire F.O., Bonidefaye G.O., Osahor K.F., Olaniyan J.E., Lemon T.G., Edokpayi J.O., Afeikhena E.O., Ikalumhe V., Efenarhua S., Igbinovia O.E., Nitric Oxide, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, and Lipid Peroxidation as Biomarkers of Endothelial Injury in Sickle Cell Disease. DHRRH, 2026, 6(2), https://doi.org/10.59854/dhrrh.2026.4.3.143
