
A Study on the Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress: the Effects of Oral Therapeutic Supplementation on the Iron Concentration and the Product of Lipid Peroxidation in Beta Thalassemia Major
1144-1147
Correspondence
Ms. Sonali S. Bhagat,
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry,
PDVVPF’s Medical College, Ahmednagar,
-414111, (M.S.), India.
Phone: 09890445423
E-mail: bhtsonal@gmail.com
Background: β - thalassemia major is genetic disorder which is caused by mutations in the HBB gene which is on chromosome 11. It is associated with a profound anaemia which is characterized by extreme pallor, jaundice or a failure to thrive, which is accompanied by poor feeding, irritability, decreased activity or an increased somnolence. Hepatosplenomegaly, an expanded bone marrow, siderosis, cardiomegaly, an impaired erythropoiesis, haemolysis in the peripheral circulation and the deposition of excess iron in the tissues are usually present. It has been proposed that the iron overload in the patients with beta thalassaemia major is associated with enhanced free radical formation and defects in the antioxidant defense system. Excess iron facilitates the generation of free radicals, which is the main cause of the tissue damage in the biological system.
Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the iron overload in the patients with beta thalassaemia major on the markers of oxidative stress, which included Malondialdehyde (MDA), which was a breakdown product of lipid peroxidation, Erythrocytic Superoxide Dismutase (ESOD) and vitamin E.
Material and Methods: A total of 120 subjects were assessed, who included 60 beta thalassaemia major patients before and after they were supplemented with antioxidants for one month, and their status was compared with those of 60 age and sex matched healthy controls. The levels of serum MDA was analyzed by the Kei Satoh method, serum iron was analyzed by the dipyridyl method, ESOD was analyzed by the Kajari Das method and the vitamin E concentration was measured by the Baker and Frank method.
Results: The serum levels of MDA, ESOD and iron were found to be significantly increased (p<0.001) and the serum vitamin E level was significantly decreased (p< 0.001) in the beta thalassaemia major patients as compared to those in the healthy controls. After the supplementation of the antioxidants, we found significantly lower (p<0.001) mean values of serum MDA, iron and ESOD, while the activity of the serum level of vitamin E was significantly higher (p<0.001) as compared to those in the healthy controls.
Conclusion: Repeated blood transfusions result in excessive free iron concentration in the blood, which causes increased oxidative stress and the generation of free radicals. The increased oxidative damage in thalassaemia major may be due to the depletion of lipid soluble antioxidants such as vitamin E. These effects may be minimized with the supplementation of antioxidants.