A A A Daak¹, K Ghebremeskel¹, P Clough², M Elbashir³, B Attalla⁴, Z Hassan³, M Crawford^1
1IBCHN, London, United Kingdom
²Efamol Ltd./Wassen International, Surrey, United Kingdom
³Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
⁴Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan

Background: The propensity of red blood cells (sickled and unsickled) to adhere to vascular endothelium and activation of platelets and leukocytes are the primary causative factors of vaso-occlusion in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Adhesion, aggregation, elasticity of blood cells and inflammatory response are strongly modulated by cell membrane lipids. Published studies have shown steady state patients with homozygous SCD have abnormal red blood cell fatty acid which is manifested primarily by higher arachidonic and lower eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic levels. The cause of this abnormality and its effect on vaso-occlusion events is not fully understood.

Objectives: The aims were to investigate: (a) the effect of omega-3 supplementation on frequency and severity of vaso- occlusive crisis; (b) whether omega-3 fatty acid supplementation corrects red blood cell membrane fatty acid abnormality reported in previous studies. Procedure: A double blind placebo controlled randomised trial has been conducted in SCD referral clinic, Khartoum, Sudan. All of the recruited patients (n=130) were supplemented with omega 3 fatty acid (n=65) or placebo (n=65) for one year. Painful crisis leading to hospitalisation, blood transfusion and neurological complications were recorded monthly. Red blood cell fatty acids of samples obtained at baseline and six month were analysed.

Results: Comparative (clinical severity score) and biochemical (red cell fatty acid profile) data will be presented. Conclusion: The results of this study will help reveal the potential of omega-3 fatty acids for prevention of vaso-occlusive crisis and manifestations in patients with the disease.

Keywords: omega-3 fatty acids, vaso-occlusive crisis, homozygous sickle cell disease
Schlüsselwörter: Omega-3 Fettsäuren, Sichelzellanämie, Thrombosebildungen