Myeloperoxidase Activity of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes in Iron Deficiency Anemia and Anemia of Chronic Disorders

Abstract

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was studied in adults with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) or anemia of chronic disorders (ACD). MPO activity (biochemical quantitation) was found to be decreased in IDA when compared to the control group (p less than 0.05); ACD subjects also had lower values although the difference was not significant (p less than 0.05). MPO scores (MPO staining) were significantly lower in IDA and ACD subjects than in the healthy control group (p less than 0.05). A significant positive correlation was noted between ferritin (R = 0.40) and percent transferrin saturation (R = 0.37) and MPO activity (p less than 0.001) in IDA and for the healthy controls.