Assessment of major liver enzymes activities among sickle cell subjects in Enugu South East of Nigeria

Objective: Sickle cell anemia is a condition resulting from inheritance of two abnormal allele of genes controlling β-globin formation. This haemoglobinopathy affects multiple organ system in the body. The hepatobiliary system is most commonly affected in sickle cell disease. This study assessed liver enzymes activities in sickle cell subjects in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: We recruited about hundred subjects age (20-40years) for this study. Fifty sickle cell subjects (Male =22, Female=28) as test subjects and fifty non-sickle cell subjects (Male=24, Female=26) as control. Anthropometric indices were measured and five milliliters of blood sample collected from each participant for analysis of Alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Aspartate transaminase (AST) using autoanalyser. Data were analysed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25. Results: The sickle cell subjects showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in mean ± SD of systolic BP, diastolic BP and body mass index compared to control subjects. The liver enzymes analysis showed a statistical increase (P<0.05) in ALP and AST while a non-significant increase (P>0.05) exist in ALT of sickle cell subjects compared to non- sickle cell subjects. There is a positive correlation (P<0.05) in SBP vs. DBP, ALT vs. AST, ALT vs. BMI among the test subjects. Conclusion: This study suggests that there is increase in liver enzymes activities in sickle cell subjects compared to non- sickle cell subjects, which could lead to liver complications and hence, need for regular assessment.