Evaluation of Adipokines Concentration in Iraqi Patients with Major and Minor Beta Thalassemia

Beta thalassemia (β-thalassemia) is a type of inherited blood disorder characterized by the impaired production of beta globin chains. β-Thalassemia can be categorized into three subtypes according to symptom severity: β-thalassemia minor, β-thalassemia intermedia, and β-thalassemia major. Adipose tissue functions as an endocrine gland by synthesizing and secreting an array of bioactive peptides including leptin, adiponectin, and resistin.

We recruited 30 participants who were transfusion dependent β-thalassemia patients (major) and 30 participants who were non-transfusion dependent β-thalassemia patients (minor). The control group consisted of 20 healthy individuals. Analysis of the demographic profile, hematological profile, biochemical parameters, and serum adipokine concentrations (leptin, adiponectin and resistin) were performed for all participants.

Our results showed that leptin serum levels were significantly lower in the β-thalassemia major group compared with the β-thalassemia minor group or healthy individuals, while serum levels of adiponectin were significantly higher in β-thalassemic patients compared with healthy controls. Serum levels of resistin were significantly higher in β-thalassemic patients compared with the healthy control group. A significant negative correlation was noted between adiponectin and BMI in β-thalassemic patients, whereas leptin was observed to have a significant positive correlation with BMI in the control group. Leptin was observed to have a significant negative correlation with adiponectin and ferritin in the β-thalassemia major group.

The changes we observed in adipokine levels may play a role in the development of the complications related to β-Thalassemia and disease severity.