Abstract
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is a significant public health problem that is implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of common diseases via increased oxidative stress and a decrease in the generation of nitric oxide. There is little information about its impact on some organ, hence the need for this research. This was a case-control study carried out on Hausa and Fulani ethnics in Kano. Heparinized 5 ml venous blood specimen were collected from 140 individuals (70 deficient and 70 control) aged between 18-35 years selected for the study to determine the blood levels of some biochemical parameters using standard methods. There were significant increase in transaminases (p<0.001), but significant decrease concentrations of sodium (p<0.05), chloride (p<0.001), alkaline phosphatase (p<0.001) and total protein (p<0.001) whereas there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in the plasma concentration of albumin, total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, urea, creatinine, potassium and bicarbonate ions. Our results demonstrate extremely significantly lower (p<0.001 for all) concentration in glutathione reductase, total antioxidants potential, copper, zinc and non-significant decrease (p>0.05) in manganese level of G-6-PD deficient patients compared to controls, whereas malondialdehyde level showed an increasing trend on contrary. However, there were correlations between G-6-PD activity and oxidative stress markers. The findings of the present study suggest that liver and kidneys functions were not altered among people living with G-6-PD deficiency but induce oxidative stress which is not capable of causing organ impairment.