Favism

Favism is the haemolysis obseived after eating Vica fava. This reaction is observed in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. This common deficiency is also responsible for haemolysis in response to the antimalarial drug primaquine and others. 

In the Mediterranean population G-6-PDH deficiency has been described in relation to favism (S22, Z2, and others). Furthermore, hereditary enzyme deficiency was found in Malayans (W8) and Chinese (VI) (in the latter in 2.2% of 225 healthy individuals). 

Thalassemia has been discussed in relation to G-6-PDH deficiency (M4) because of the finding that favism was often found among the relatives of subjects suffering from thalassemia. Since both conditions are common in Sardinia and surrounding countries, the relation may be fortuitous this suggestion corresponds to the reported results (S24, VI). 

Szeinberg, A., Sheba, C., Hirshom, N., and Bodonyi, E., Studies on erythrocytes in cases with past history of favism and drug induced hemolytic anemia. Blood 12, 603-613 (1957). 

Z2. Zinkham, W. H., Lenhard, R. E., Jr., and Childs, B., A deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in erythrocytes from patients with favism. Bull. Johns Hopkins Hosp. 102, 169-175 (1958). 

Some of the more interesting examples of nutrient - nonnutrient interactions include some of the compounds that are analogs of nutrients. Mattson et al (16) found that cholesterol absorption decreased when various plant sterols were added to the diets of rats. A number of plant amino acids are not ordinarily required by herbivores and are usually not incorporated into proteins. For example, the structure of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-alanlne (L-dopa) is similar to that of tyrosine. L-Dopa may play a role in favism (17), as well as having a number of other deleterious effects (18, 19, 20). Essential amino acids themselves can be deleterious if they are ingested in excessive quantities or if they are not in balance with other amino acids... 

Oxidized, denatured hemoglobin forms aggregates, which can become attached to the inner surface of the red cell, known as Heinz bodies. This leads to damage to the red cell, which may result in direct destruction of the cell, which can be shown in vitro, or removal from the circulation by the spleen in vivo. When caused by Fava beans, the syndrome is known as Favism. As the deficient enzyme (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) is intrinsic to the red cell, exposure of such cells in vitro to suitable drugs will lead to cell damage and death. 

Favism Some forms of G6PD deficiency, for example the Mediterranean variant, are particularly susceptible to the hemolytic effect of the fava bean, a dietary staple in the Mediterranean region. Favism, the hemolytic effect of ingesting fava beans, is not observed in all individuals with G6PD deficiency, but all patients with favism have G6PD deficiency. 

G6PD deficiency Favism Drug sensitive anemia Chronic hemolytic anemia... 

A much investigated but not yet fully understood happening is the cause of favism, the hemolytic episode occurring in some Mediterranean people after eating fava beans favism occurs only in persons with... 

Kattamis C. Favism epidemiological and clinical aspects. In Yoshida A, Beutler E, eds. Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase. Orlando, San Diego, New York Academic Press Inc., 1986 25-43. 

Fava beans cause a severe illness, favism, in individuals who have a particular genetic deficiency. It occurs only in men, and its incidence is very high in some communities. As many as 50 per cent of male Sephardic Jews from Kurdistan suffer the deficiency, which reduces the level of... 

---