Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in beta-thalassemia

Autoxidation of globin chains and iron overload are the suggested mechanism s for the increased oxidative stress in beta -thalassemia. The aim of this study was to evaluated the extend of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant sta tus of patients with beta -thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and compare the results with healthy subjects. Oxidant and antioxidant status of the children with beta -thalassemia major (n = 22) and iron deficiency a nemia (n = 19) were studied. Healthy controls (n=14) were age and sex match ed. Fresh anticoagulant venous blood samples obtained from all children. Co njugated diene (CD) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive (TBARS) substances wer e analysed to indicate the oxidative parameters, whereas the erythrocyte su peroxide dismutase (SOD) and gluthathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured to show the antioxidant status of the children. Plasma TBARS and CD concentra tions in TBARs was significant. In the iron-deficiency group both TBARS and CD concentrations were elevated in beta -thalassemia compared to IDA. When compared to the controls, elevation in TBARS was significant. In the iron- deficiency group both TBARS and CD levels were decreased in TBARS was signi ficant. In the iron-deficiency group both TBARS and CD levels were decrease d compared to the controls. SOD and GPx activities were increased in the be ta -thalassemia group. SOD in beta -thalassemia was higher than both IDA an d the controls and GPx activity was higher than the IDA group. In vivo lipi d peroxidation was increased in children with beta -thalassemia major. This leads to a compensatory increase in antioxidant enzymes, whereas IDA does not lead to lipid peroxidation with a normal antioxidant enzyme activity.