Serum Levels of Selected Elements in Patients with Beta Thalassemia Major

Abstract

beta-thalassemia major is a significant health problem in the world that obliges patient to repeated blood transfusions. Frequent transfusions cause toxic iron overload and the association between serum iron levels and beta-thalassemia major have been extensively studied in literature. Nonetheless, data on trace elements is still limited. The aim of this work was to study the relationship between some trace element levels in serum and beta-thalassemia major. The quantifications of Al, K, Sn, Sb, Ni, Cr, Cd, Ba, Co, As and Se elements were carried out by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry system. Mann Whitney U test is performed in order to test the statistical difference between patient and control groups in terms of their element concentrations. Significant differences were observed for the concentrations of Al, K, Sn and Sb elements and for the correlation between concentrations of K-Sb elements. The study indicates higher levels of Al and Sb, and lower levels of K and Sn elements of patients when compared to control group. These findings reveal the altered profile of serum trace element concentrations and so, further studies are required to evaluate the potential of trace elements as biomarkers and/or to administrate their levels in blood to reduce the related complications.