Abstract
In previous experiments we have observed that the incubation in vitro with CSSC or APH can modify the electrophoretic pattern of RBC acid phosphatases (SH-dependent enzyme) and can reduce their total activity; we have also demonstrated that the isoenzyme fractions present a differential liability towards the treatment with these substances. The present investigation suggests that in enzymopenic subjects for G-6-PD, acid phosphatase phenotypes show a differential liability toward the hemolytic effect in vivo of Ficia faba. A total of 84 male children who had had severe episodes of hemolytic favism have been studies. Acid phosphatase phenotype was determined according to Hopkinson, Spencer, and Harris. The results have shown that 58.33% of the children who had had favism are carriers of Pa allele either in single or double dose; the same pheonotypes in the general population have a frequency of 44.59% (P < 0.02). Pa gene frequency is 0.357 and 0.258, respectively (P < 0.01). This observation seems to indicate that an allele (Pa) of a gene polymorphic in all human populations affects in special conditions (genotypic and environmental) the fitness of the involved phenotypes. From a practical point of view it would be important to identify those subjects which present a higher risk of hemolytic episodes induced by F. faba.
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Bottini, E. 63. Stability of red blood cell acid phosphatases and association between their phenotypes and clinical favism. Pediatr Res 5, 96 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197102000-00068
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197102000-00068