Plasma homocysteine levels in patients with beta-thalassaemia major.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the level of homocysteine (HCY) and its relation with vitamin B12, folate and oxidative stress in patients with beta-thalassaemia major.


METHODS
Plasma HCY, methionine, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and serum vitamin B12, folate, ferritin and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined in 32 thalassaemic patients and 27 control subjects.


RESULTS
HCY (6.44+/-0.44 versus 8.71+/-0.57 micromol/L), methionine (12.57+/-1.8 versus 22.2+/-3.8 micromol/L), folate (9.14+/-0.48 versus 15.38+/-0.71 nmol/L) and TAC (0.34+/-0.03 versus 0.56+/-0.03 mmol/L) significantly decreased in thalassaemic patients, whereas AOPP (20.26+/-1.8 versus 11.30+/-0.2 micromol/L) and ferritin (3481.0+/-512 versus 46.9+/-4.6 ng/mL) significantly increased. Vitamin B12 levels were similar in both groups (259.1+/-16.6 versus 228.9+/-7.4 pmol/L).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that increased and uncompensated oxidative stress may lead to an increment in HCY catabolism in thalassaemic patients.
Ozdem
S
S
Akdeniz University, Medical Faculty, Central Laboratory, Clinical Biochemistry Unit, Arapsuyu 07070, Antalya,Turkey. ozdem@akdeniz.edu.tr
Kupesiz
A
A
Yesilipek
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood*
D006710:Homocysteine