Efficacy of oral zinc therapy in the management of sickle cell crises
Gupta, V.L.; Chaubey, B.S.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 86: 803-807
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 3450604 Document Number: 289984
Serum zinc levels and electrokinetic potential (EKP) of red blood cells (Zeta potential) were studied in patients with sickle cell disease who were under follow up for one year before study. Serum zinc levels were significantly low in sickle cell anemia (P < 0.05). Electrokinetic potential was also significantly low in patients with sickle cell anemia in each blood group (P < 0.1). A significant improvement in serum zinc (P < 0.05) levels and EKP was seen in patients who received zinc therapy for 4 months. The difference in post-therapy values of EKP in patients of sickle cell anemia and normal subjects was not significant. A one and half year's post-therapy follow up which included objective assessment in the form of number of crisis duration of hospitalization and number of working days lost along with subjective assessment showed marked and significant improvement. This coincided with normalization of serum zinc levels and EKP of RBCs in sickle cell disease.