Peroxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes in children with β-thalassemia major

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent of lipid peroxidation and to study the state of antioxidant enzymes in thalassemic children, as well as to assess the oxidative status in β-thalassemia major patients. Patients and methods This is a case–control study conducted on 40 patients previously diagnosed with β-thalassemia major and 40 healthy age-matched and sex-matched children as the control group. The following investigations were done for all children: complete blood picture, reticulocyte count, serum ferritin level, and hepatitis B and C markers. Measurement of lipoperoxides; instead of, malondialdehyde (MDA), analysis of antioxidant enzymes; instead of, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and vitamin E levels were also performed. Results There were significant differences in oxidative status values between cases and controls. Increased MDA level ranged from 2.3 to 4.6 nmol/ml in thalassemia patients compared with the controls (P<0.001). Significantly lower activity of superoxide dismutase was 50–78 U/ml in thalassemic patients as compared with controls (P<0.001). In addition, the glutathione peroxidase level ranging from 2.85 to 5.85 U/l was significantly lower in thalassemic patients (P<0.001). Vitamin E was significantly lower among patients with β-thalassemia (0.1–0.5 mg/dl) compared with controls (P<0.001). Conclusion An increased level of the lipid peroxidation product MDA was detected in β-thalassemia major patients accompanied by significantly lower activity level of antioxidant enzymes and vitamin E.