The levels of nitric oxide in beta-thalassemia minor.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between NO (nitric oxide) and beta-thalassemia minor.


METHODS
A total of 60 patients with beta-thalassemia minor (30 M, 30 F) were included in the study. The control group consisted of 60 healthy subjects (30 M, 30 F). Plasma nitrite/nitrate levels were measured using the Griess reaction method and analyzed by spectrophotometry at 545 nm.


RESULTS
Plasma direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate levels were 7.561±6.19, 42.548±7.37 and 34.84±6.24 in beta-thalassemia minor patients versus 36.9±19.8, 85.9±35.3 and 48.61±17.35 Ìmol/dl in controls, respectively. Plasma direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate levels were significantly lower in beta-thalassemia minor patients compared with the control group (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings confirm that plasma NO levels in beta-thalassemia minor patients are decreased at the time of diagnosis. This may be helpful in assessing the prognosis and follow-up evaluation of patients with beta-thalassemia minor.
Nihayet
N
Bayraktar
Department of Hematology ‹nönü University, Faculty of Medicine Turgut Özal Medical Center 44069 Malatya, Turkey, Phone: +90 505 649 57 05 Fax: +90 422 341 07 28 E-mail: erkurtali@hotmail.com.
Mehmet Ali
MA
Erkurt
İsmet
İ
Aydoğdu
Yalçın
Y
Başaran