title: Upregulation of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, NGAL/Lcn2, in beta-thalassemia patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the major consequences in beta- thalassemia is iron overload. Oxidative statuses have been reported in beta-thalassemia patients by several studies. It has been proven that iron plays a critical role in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). More recently, we have found the induction of Lcn2/NGAL expression under oxidative stress condition. In this study, it was assumed that NGAL should be upregulated in beta-thalassemia patients because of oxidative stress condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Assessment of NGAL expressions in 25 adult beta-thalassemia and 9 pediatric patients was performed by semiquantitative RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR and ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adult beta-thalassemia patients upregulated NGAL expression compared with the normal samples but no upregulation was observed in pediatric patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Upregulation may play an important role in decreasing ROS or iron in beta-thalassemia patients.
authors: Reserch Center, Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization, Tehran, Iran. Roudkenar@ibto.ir
authors: Mehryar Habibi
authors: MH
authors: Roudkenar
authors: Raheleh
authors: R
authors: Halabian
authors: Arezo
authors: A
authors: Oodi
authors: Amaneh Mohammadi
authors: AM
authors: Roushandeh
authors: Parichehr
authors: P
authors: Yaghmai
authors: Mohamad Reza
authors: MR
authors: Najar
authors: Nasser
authors: N
authors: Amirizadeh
authors: Mohammad Ali
authors: MA
authors: Shokrgozar
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000378:metabolism; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D005293:Ferritins