Abstract
In sickle cell anemia, intravascular hemolysis results in the release of hemoglobin to plasma. Under physiological conditions, haptoglobin is the plasma protein responsible for the body's defense against free hemoglobin accumulation. In plasma, haptoglobin binds to free hemoglobin and this complex is metabolized by macrophages in the reticuloendothelial system. However, in sickle cell ane…