title: CD40 ligand and P-selectin in heterozygous Beta-thalassemia.
abstract: To investigate platelet functions and measure soluble CD40 ligand, soluble P-selectin, beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 levels in the blood of heterozygous beta thalassemia patients.
  
  
  
  The cross-sectional case-control study was conducted at Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey, between September 2013 and April 2014, and comprised heterozygous beta thalassemia patients who were compared with 41 gender-, age- and body mass index-matched controls for platelet function markers. The two groups were also compared for co-morbidities, smoking, and regular medications.
  
  
  
  Of the 78(78.78) subjects, 50(64%) were women and 28(36%) men with an overall mean age of 39.4±12.7 years (range: 18-79 years). The mean body mass index was 26.3±4.2. The heterozygous beta thalassemia group included 37(47%) subjects [24(65%) females; 13(35%) males] while the control group had 41(53%) [26(63%) females; 15(37%) males]. Soluble CD40 ligand and soluble P-selectin were lower in the heterozygous beta thalassemia group (p=0.009; p=0.010). Beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 levels were comparable between the groups (p=0.497; p=0.507.).
  
  
  
  Some platelet functions may be reduced in heterozygous beta thalassemia patients, which may be related to their lower incidence of cerebral and cardiac ischaemic events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cikrikcioglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Turkey.
authors.forename: Rabia Bag
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Soytas
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Turkey.
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kilic
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Medeniyet University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aybala Erek
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Toprak
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cakirca
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zorlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muharrem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiskac
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sebnem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Emegil
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Guven
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cetin
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Turkey.
authors.forename: Elif Ece
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Dogan
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yahya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sekin
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Turkey.
authors.forename: Jamshid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hamdard
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cumali
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karatoprak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001792:Blood Platelets; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000032:analysis*; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D019007:P-Selectin; D023201:CD40 Ligand
keywords: P-Selectin, CD40 ligand, Beta thromboglobulin, Platelet factor 4, Heterozygous beta thalassemia