Elevated plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in children with beta-thalassemia major may be an early marker for endothelial dysfunction.

In this study, we aimed to investigate circulating ADMA concentrations in children with beta-thalassemia major. METHODS: Thirty-one beta-thalassemia major children aged between 4 and 16 year old and age, gender-matched 36 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Plasma ADMA was measured along with the soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), P-selectin, and Pentraxin-3. RESULTS: Age, gender and body mass index were similar in two groups. Plasma ADMA, sVCAM-1, and sICAM-1 measurements were significantly higher in beta-thalassemia major patients than the control group (p < 0.004 for ICAM-1, p < 0.001 for other parameters). There were positive significant correlations between ADMA, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 (r = 0.437, p < 0.001; r = 0.544, p < 0.001; r = 0.405, p < 0.001, respectively) in the whole group. DISCUSSION: The findings of the current study show us that increased plasma ADMA levels in children with beta-thalassemia major may be an early marker for endothelial dysfunction and may play a role in the development of premature atherosclerosis in beta-thalassemia major patients. PMID: 29086658 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Hematology - Category: Hematology Tags: Hematology Source Type: research