Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic hemoglobinopathy characterized by chronic hemolysis. Chronic hemolysis is promoted by increased oxidative stress. Our hypothesis was that some antioxidant micronutrients (retinol, tocopherol, selenium, and zinc) would be determinant factors of the degree of hemolysis in SCD patients. We aimed to investigate the nutritional adequacy of these antioxidants and their relationships to hemolysis. The study included 51 adult SCD patients regularly assisted in two reference centers for hematology in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Serum concentrations of retinol, alpha-tocopherol, selenium, and zinc were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography or atomic absorption spectrometry. Hematological parameters (complete blood count, reticulocyte count, hemoglobin, direct and indirect bilirubin, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase) and inflammation markers (leukocytes and ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein) were analyzed. A linear regression model was used to test the associations between the variables. Most patients presented selenium deficiency and low selenium consumption. Linear regression analysis showed that selenium is the main determinant of hemolysis among the antioxidant nutrients analyzed. Thus, data from this study suggest that the nutritional care protocols for patients with SCD should include dietary sources of selenium in order to reduce the risk of hemolysis.

RESUMO:Este artigo descreve a ocorrência, características botânicas, fitoquímicas e a composição nutricional do feijão guandu [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp], e sua relação no processo de inibição da falcização na doença falciforme, um distúrbio genético que acomete as hemácias, gerando hemólise e anemia crônica. Dois constituintes químicos estariam mais relacionados aos efeitos inibitórios na falcização de células falciformes: L-fenilalanina e o ácido p-hidroxibenzóico. Estudos químico-biológicos detalhados com o feijão guandu no Brasil poderão esclarecer melhor os mecanismos pelos quais ocorre a inibição da falcização das hemácias e a diminuição do estresse oxidativo, ajudando no tratamento de pessoas com DF.Palavras-chave: propriedades medicinais, cajanus cajan, anemia falciforme. ABSTRACT: Review of Medicinal Cajanus cajan of properties in Sickle Cell Disease.This article describes the occurrence, botanical characteristics, phytochemical and nutritional composition of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp], and their relationship in the process inhibition of sickling in sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic disorder that affects red blood cells, causing hemolysis and chronic anemia. Two chemical components would be related to the inhibitory effect on sickling of sickle cells: the L-phenylalanine and the p-hydroxybenzoic acid. In Brazil, detailed studies with pigeonpea chemical-biological may clarify the mechanisms by which the inhibition of sickling of red blood cells occurs, reducing oxidative stress and thus helping treating people affected by this disease.