Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in beta-thalassemia

Autoxidation of globin chains and iron overload are the suggested mechanisms for the increased oxidative stress in beta-thalassemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extend of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status 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 anemia (n = 19) were studied. Healthy controls (n = 14) were age and sex matched. Fresh anticoagulated venous blood samples were obtained from all children. Conjugated diene (CD) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive (TBARS) substances were analyzed to indicate the oxidative parameters, whereas the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured to show the antioxidant status of the children. Plasma 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 compared to the controls. SOD and GPx activities were increased in the beta-thalassemia group. SOD in beta-thalassemia was higher than both IDA and the controls and GPx activity was higher than the IDA group. In vivo lipid 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.