Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Quantifiable and Inexpensive Cell-Free Fluorescent Method to Confirm the Ability of Novel Compounds to Chelate Iron
05:36

Quantifiable and Inexpensive Cell-Free Fluorescent Method to Confirm the Ability of Novel Compounds to Chelate Iron

Published on: February 23, 2024

Deferiprone challenge test for monitoring iron overload in hepatitis positive thalassemic major patients

Dilshad A Khan, Asma N Cheema, Masood Anwar

    International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine
    |July 8, 2010
    PubMed

    Insights

    Viral hepatitis falsely elevates serum ferritin in beta-thalassemia major (BTM) patients. Urinary iron excretion after deferiprone chelation offers a more accurate method for monitoring iron overload in these patients.

    Area of Science:

    • Hematology
    • Hepatology
    • Clinical Chemistry

    Background:

    • Viral hepatitis is prevalent in beta-thalassemia major (BTM) patients in Pakistan.
    • Serum ferritin, commonly used to monitor iron overload in BTM, is unreliable in the presence of viral hepatitis due to falsely elevated levels.
    • Accurate monitoring of iron overload is crucial for managing BTM patients with co-existing viral infections.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate urinary iron excretion (UIE) after deferiprone chelation as a reliable marker for monitoring iron overload in BTM patients with Hepatitis B and C.
    • To compare the efficacy of UIE with serum ferritin levels in assessing iron burden in this specific patient group.

    Main Methods:

    • 130 BTM patients were recruited and categorized into Hepatitis positive (n=69) and Hepatitis negative (n=61) groups.
    • Serum ferritin levels were measured using Access II.
    • Patients received oral deferiprone (75mg/kg), and UIE was measured at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 hours post-administration.

    Main Results:

    • Hepatitis positive BTM patients exhibited significantly higher median serum ferritin levels compared to Hepatitis negative patients (p=0.001).
    • No significant differences in UIE were observed between the two groups at 4, 8, or 12 hours after deferiprone intake (p=NS).
    • A significant positive correlation between serum ferritin and 4-hour UIE was found in Hepatitis negative patients, but not in Hepatitis positive patients.

    Conclusions:

    • The deferiprone challenge test measuring 4-hour UIE is a cost-effective and non-invasive alternative to serum ferritin for monitoring iron overload in BTM patients with viral hepatitis.
    • This method provides a more accurate assessment of iron body burden in Hepatitis B and C positive BTM patients.
    Keywords:
    Thalassemia majordeferiprone challenge testhepatitisiron overloadmonitoring of iron overloadserum ferritin

    More Related Videos

    Measurement of Tissue Non-Heme Iron Content using a Bathophenanthroline-Based Colorimetric Assay05:08

    Measurement of Tissue Non-Heme Iron Content using a Bathophenanthroline-Based Colorimetric Assay

    Published on: January 31, 2022

    Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes08:45

    Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes

    Published on: May 10, 2022

    Related Concept Videos

    Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

    Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

    In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
    Disorders of Erythrocytes01:27

    Disorders of Erythrocytes

    Disorders of erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs), include a range of conditions affecting their number, shape, or function.
    Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
    A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
    On the other...
    Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

    Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

    Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug binding...