Jordan University of Science and Technology
Faculty Member, Medical Laboratory Sciences
Applied Medical Sciences
Thesis Title: ASSOCIATION BETWEEN IRON STORES AND OXIDIZED-LDL LEVELS IN JORDANIAN PATEINTS WITH β-THALASSEMIA MAJOR.
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Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that iron plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of hs-CRP and ox-LDL levels in patients with β-thalassemia major in relation with the levels of body iron markers, including serum iron, ferritin, TIBC. A total of 192 individuals were included in this study (120 β-thalassemia major patients and 72 healthy control subjects). The serum levels of iron and TIBC were determined using automated clinical chemistry analyzers (Hitachi 912, Germany) by using commercially available kit (Roche Diagnostic Kit), while levels of serum ferritin were determined using the Roche Elecsys 1020-immunoassay analyzers by the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). The blood levels of lipid profile and hs-CRP were determined using commercially available kit (Roche Diagnostic Kit) by using automated clinical chemistry analyzers. The levels of ox-LDL were determined by ELISA technique using commercially available kit (Mercodia Kit).
Comparing all patients combined with controls, levels of serum iron, hs-CRP and Ferritin were significantly higher in patients than that in control subjects, while the levels of TIBC and ox-LDL were significantly lower in patients than that in control subjects. The blood levels of hs-CRP and ox-LDL were significantly higher in female than that in male patients. β-thalassemia major patients were divided into 3 groups according to major risk factor of CVD (Smoker, Cardiac, Diabetic). Although no significant differences were observed concerning the levels of hs-CRP and ox-LDL in smoker and nonsmoker patients, the blood levels of hs-CRP were significantly higher in diabetic than those nondiabetic patients. On the other hand, the levels of hs-CRP, ox-LDL and ox-LDL/LDL ratio were significantly higher in cardiac than that noncardiac patient.
Based on the serum hs-CRP, β-thalassemia major patients were divided into 3 groups according to risk factor of CVD: low risk (hs-CRP<1.0 mg/L), moderate risk (1.0≤hs-CRP≤3.0), high risk (hs-CRP>3.0). No significant association was observed between any of the three groups of hs-CRP with the levels of iron store markers and total cholesterol. However, the highest levels of LDL, ox-LDL and ox-LDL/LDL ratio and the lowest levels of HDL were observed among patients with high risk of CVD (hs-CRP>3.0). Results from this study revealed that levels of serum iron and ox-LDL increased as the age of patient’s increases. In conclusion, results from this study demonstrate that the levels of ox-LDL were not associated with iron store marker levels in β-thalassemia major patients. β-thalassemia major patients with cardiac complications have elevated markers of inflammation and evidence of cardiovascular diseases predominance, and the elevated levels of serum iron, LDL and ox-LDL may play a role in the inflammatory reaction and for the increased hs-CRP level.
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