Adipocytokine concentrations in children with different types of beta-thalassemia

Background. Beta-thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. It results from the impaired production of beta-globin chains, leading to a relative excess of alpha-globin chains. Clinical severity separates this disease into three main subtypes: beta-thalassemia major, beta-thalassemia intermedia and beta-thalassemia minor, the former two being clinically more significant. Inflammatory processes may play an important role in some of the complications of thalassemia. Adipose tissue is one of the most important endocrine and secretory organs that release adipocytokines like adiponectin, resistin and visfatin. Aim. The aim of our study was to analyze adipocytokine concentrations (adiponectin, resistin and visfatin) in different types of beta-thalassemia patients and determine any possible correlations with disease severity. Methods. We recruited 29 patients who were transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia-major patients, 17 patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia, 30 beta-thalassemia minor patients. The control group consisted of 30 healthy children. Anthropometric measurements, complete blood count, biochemical parameters, serum concentrations of adiponectin, resistin, visfatin were performed for all subjects. Results. Resistin and visfatin concentrations were significantly higher in beta-thalassemia minor patients than in controls. Adiponectin, resistin and visfatin concentrations were significantly higher in both beta-thalassemia intermedia and major patients than in controls. The concentrations of adiponectin, resistin and visfatin were significantly higher in both beta-thalassemia intermedia and major patients than in beta-thalassemia minor patients. There was no significant difference between beta-thalassemia intermedia and beta-thalassemia major patients for adipocytokines concentrations. Conclusion. We speculate that these adipocytokines may play a role in the development of complications in beta-thalassaemia.