Impact of met-haemoglobin and oxidative stress on endothelial function in patients with transfusion dependent β-thalassemia

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 25328 - 9
• Main Authors: Rabie, Maha Abubakr Feissal, El Benhawy, Sanaa A., Masoud, Inas M., Arab, Amal R. R., Saleh, Sally A. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 25.10.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 692/308; 692/420; 692/699; 692/700; Adolescent; Adult; Anemia; beta-Thalassemia - blood; beta-Thalassemia - therapy; Biochemical analysis; Blood diseases; Blood Transfusion; Case-Control Studies; Creatinine; EASIX; Endothelial cells; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Endothelium, Vascular - physiopathology; Female; Ferritin; Ferritins - blood; Free radicals; Hemoglobin; Hemoglobins - metabolism; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Iron Overload - blood; Iron Overload - etiology; Male; Malondialdehyde; Malondialdehyde - blood; Met-Hb; multidisciplinary; Oxidative Stress; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Splenectomy; Thalassemia; Transfusion; Transfusion depended β-thalassemia; Young Adult; Oxidative stress; Met-Hb; Transfusion depended β-thalassemia; EASIX; Malondialdehyde
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-74930-3
• ISSN: 2045-2322

Transfusion dependent β-thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder characterized by chronic anaemia. Blood transfusion is lifesaving but comes at a cost. Iron overload emerges as a prime culprit as a free radicals damage endothelial cells. Chronic anaemia further disrupts oxygen delivery, exacerbating the oxidative stress. Increased levels of met-haemoglobin and malondialdehyde compromise endothelial function. This research sheds light on the impact of met-haemoglobin and oxidative stress on endothelial function in 50 patients with transfusion dependent β-thalassemia major compared to 50 healthy individuals as control. Blood samples were collected & subjected to CBC, biochemical analysis including creatinine, ferritin, CRP, LDH, and HCV antibodies. Oxidative stress was assessed using met-haemoglobin & malondialdehyde. Endothelial dysfunction was evaluated by endothelial activation and stress index (EASIX). EASIX, met-haemoglobin and malondialdehyde were significantly increased in patients (1.44 ± 0.75, 2.07 ± 0.2, 4.8 ± 0.63; respectively) compared to the control (0.52 ± 0.24,0.88 ± 0.34,0.8 ± 0.34; respectively). Significant strong positive correlation was found between EASIX and met-haemoglobin, malondialdehyde, serum ferritin and CRP ( P  = 0.00, r  = 0.904, P  = 0.00, r  = 0.948, P  = 0.00, r  = 0.772, P  = 0.00, r  = 0.971; respectively. Met-haemoglobin as well as EASIX should be routinely estimated to assess endothelial function especially before the decision of splenectomy. Antioxidant drugs should be supplemented.