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Elevated serum adiponectin is related to elevated serum ferritin and interleukin-6 in β-thalassaemia major children
Insights
Serum adiponectin is elevated in children with beta-thalassemia major, correlating with inflammation markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Iron levels, indicated by ferritin, also influence adiponectin, suggesting a link between iron overload and metabolic changes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Hematology
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Iron overload, common in beta-thalassemia major, impacts lipid metabolism and adipocyte function.
- Adiponectin, an adipokine, plays a role in lipid oxidation and is influenced by iron status.
- Oxidative stress from excess iron may interact with lipid metabolism in beta-thalassemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum adiponectin levels in children with beta-thalassemia major.
- To correlate adiponectin with clinical and laboratory parameters, including inflammation markers.
- To explore the relationship between iron status and adiponectin in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 58 children with beta-thalassemia major and 30 controls.
- Assessed serum ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and serum adiponectin using ELISA and immunoturbidimetry.
- Routine clinical evaluation and laboratory investigations were performed.
Main Results:
- Children with beta-thalassemia major exhibited higher levels of CRP, IL-6, and serum adiponectin compared to controls.
- Serum adiponectin was lower in patients receiving desferrioxamine treatment.
- Adiponectin showed significant negative correlation with hemoglobin and positive correlations with platelets, serum ferritin, CRP, and IL-6.
Conclusions:
- Serum adiponectin is elevated in beta-thalassemia major, mirroring increased pro-inflammatory markers (CRP and IL-6).
- Adiponectin levels are directly associated with serum ferritin and IL-6 levels in these children.
- Findings suggest a link between iron status, inflammation, and adiponectin in beta-thalassemia major.
Background:
There is evidence that iron affects lipid metabolism and adipocyte biology. Given the effects of iron on adiponectin, the role of iron in lipid oxidation, and the potential additive effects of oxidative stress from excess iron and lipid metabolism. We aimed to investigate serum adiponectin in relation to clinical and laboratory parameters including the inflammation markers [C-reacitve protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] in β-thalassaemia major children.
Methods:
We investigated 58 β-thalassaemia major children under scheduled blood transfusion and 30 controls. Routine clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations including serum ferritin as well as CRP measured by immunoturbidimetry, IL-6 and serum adiponectin measured by ELISA are performed.
Results:
CRP, IL-6 and serum adiponectin levels were higher in patients than controls (p<0.001, p=0.04 and p<0.001, respectively). Patients received desferoxamine showed significantly lower levels of adiponectin than those did not receive it (mean±SD=4.50±3.37 vs. 9.96±9.68, p=0.006). Serum adiponectin was significantly negatively correlated with hemoglobin (Hb) concentration (r=-0.36, p=0.005). It was significantly positively correlated with platelets count, serum ferritin, CRP and IL-6 (r=0.27, r=0.26, r=0.30, r=0.35, respectively and p=0.04, p=0.04, p=0.01, p=0.008, respectively). Serum ferritin and IL-6 were the significant predictors of serum adiponectin level (p<0.001 and p=0.003, respectively).
Conclusions:
Serum adiponectin was increased in β-thalassaemia major as were pro-inflammatory markers (CRP and IL-6). Its level is directly associated with ferritin and IL-6 levels.
