Oxidative stress in patients with beta-thalassemia major

Prilozi. 2007 Jul;28(1):145-54.

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study the level of oxidative stress in blood of beta-thalassemia major patients with transfusional iron overload and chelation therapy as a central pathological process. Beta-thalassemia major results in an increase in the concentration of lipid peroxidation products in blood plasma of more than 100% and in the intensity of chemiluminescence - about 20% in comparison to healthy controls. The activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase in the blood of beta-thalassemia major patients is decreased by more than 30% and the total antioxidant activity is diminished by about 70% compared to controls. Experimental data confirm the progression of oxidative stress in patients with beta-thalassemia major: activation of free radical processes and lipid peroxidation, decreased antioxidant capacity. Strong oxidative damage and essential alternations define these parameters as sensitive markers of oxidative stress in patients with beta-thalassemia major. The combination of effective iron-chelatory agents with natural or synthetic antioxidants can be extremely helpful in clinical practice in the regulation of the antioxidant status of patients with beta-thalassemia major.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antioxidants / analysis
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipid Peroxidation
  • Luminescent Measurements
  • Male
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / blood
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / analysis
  • beta-Thalassemia / blood*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Superoxide Dismutase