Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and lipid peroxidation of normal and sickled erythrocytes.

Sickled erythrocytes showed reduced glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities in comparison to normal erythrocytes. In addition, increased levels of superoxide dismutase and 'peroxidation potential' as well as fluorescent lipid pigments and malonaldehyde suggestive of membrane lipid peroxidation were found in sickled erythrocytes. Finally, sickled erythrocytes showed membrane 'bound' Heinz bodies as well as reduced membrane lipids and unsaturated fatty acids. From these observations, it is suggested that membrane lipid peroxidation occurs in sickled cells.