Abstract
BACKGROUND: Blood-related hereditary diseases are widespread in Eastern and SouthWestern regions of Saudi Arabia until recently. In this study, we used Na(+), K(+)ATPase as an enzymatic indicator for the diagnosis of the diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individuals with different blood diseases (iron deficiency (n=13), anemia (n=14), thalassemia (n=16) and sickle cell anemia (n=12) were studied for Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity in the plasma membrane of red blood cell and compared with those of the healthy ones (n=20) of the same age and gender living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: There was a significant elevation in the specific activity of Na(+), K(+)ATPase in individuals with anemia compared with those of control (0.0094 + 0.001 nmol / mg protein/min versus 0.0061 ± 0.001). On the other hand, there was a significant reduction in enzyme activity in thalassemia (0.0028 ± 0.002 nmol / mg protein/min) and sickle cell anemia cases (0.0042 ±0.001 nmol / mg protein/min) compared to the control group. The cut off value for Na(+), K(+)ATPase activity is 0.005 µmol Pi/min-showing 94% sensitivity and 93% specificity for the differentiation of blood abnormality. CONCLUSION: It can be recommended that the activity of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase can be used for the diagnosis of individuals with blood diseases/disorders.