Oxidant, antioxidant status and metabolic data in patients with beta-thalassemia.
BACKGROUND
In beta-thalassemia major impaired biosynthesis of beta globin leads to accumulation of unpaired alpha globin chain. An iron overload, usually observed, generates oxygen-free radicals and peroxidative tissue injury.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate hematological parameters, oxidative stress and the antioxidant capacity in beta-thalassemia patients compared to control subjects in order to determine their impact in several organs functions.


METHODS
This study was conducted on 56 beta-thalassemia major patients compared to 51 healthy subjects. We determined metabolic parameters (glycaemia, lipid parameters, electrolytes, iron indices, hepatic, renal and heart functions tests), plasmatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), plasmatic peroxyl radical trapping potential (TRAP), plasmatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), erythrocyte gluthathione peroxidase (GPX), plasmatic vitamin E, vitamin A and trace elements.


RESULTS
Except triglycerides, lipid fractions were significantly decreased in beta-thalassemia compared to controls. Serum ferritin, iron, TBARS concentrations, SOD and GPX activities were significantly increased. But TRAP, vitamin E and zinc concentrations were significantly decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings confirm the peroxidative status generated by iron overload in beta-thalassemia major patients and highlight the rapid formation of marked amounts of TBARS and the increase of SOD and GPX activity. Our study suggested that in beta-thalassemia the first organ impaired is the liver.
Kassab-Chekir
Asma
A
Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Toxicologie, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse 4000, Tunisia. Asma.Chekir@edunet.tn
Laradi
Sandrine
S
Ferchichi
Selima
S
Haj Khelil
Amel
A
Feki
Moncef
M
Amri
Fathi
F
Selmi
Habib
H
Bejaoui
Mohamed
M
Miled
Abdelhédi
A
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016877:Oxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000975:Antioxidants; D016877:Oxidants