LEVELS OF MONOAMINE OXIDASE ACTIVITES IN CHILDHOOD ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA AFTER CHEMOTHERAPY

Abstract

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in children. The
chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of ALL may cause many adverse effects on the blood
components. The aim of this work is to measure the levels of monoamine oxidase activities (A and B) in
ALL patients at first diagnosed stage and after the first course of chemotherapy with (Daunorubicin,
Vincristine VRC, L-asparaginase, Cyclophosphamide, Cytosar, Dexon, and Adriamycin). A total of 25
patients with confirmed diagnosis of ALL with mean age 5.3±3.3 years (range 1.2– 12year), and with
body mass index (BMI) (range 12.5-19.2) kg/m2 were enrolled. MAO-A and MAO-B activities were
determined using colorimetric assay method. White blood cells (WBC) and its differential were assessed
using autoanalyzer device. The activity of MAO- A was significantly lower while MAO-B activity was
significantly higher after chemotherapy (P<0.05). WBC count, neutrophils %, lymphocyte count,
lymphocyte %, monocyte count, and basophils count were significantly lower after chemotherapy
(P<0.05) while a non-significant difference in neutrophils, monocyte%, eosinophils %, basophils % was
found after chemotherapy. The white blood cells of leukemic children are suppressed after
chemotherapy. The increase in MAO –B activity may an indication of oxidative stress increase due to
chemotherapy. The decrease of MAO-A activity could be used to predict the outcome of chemotherapy.