Evaluation of neopterin as a prognostic factor in patients with beta-thalassemia, in comparison with cytokines and immunoglobulins
Journal Title: Αρχεία Ελληνικής Ιατρικής - Year 2015, Vol 32, Issue 1
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Investigation of whether the serum level of neopterin can be used as a marker in patients with β-thalassemia, evaluation of its clinical significance and correlation with other laboratory and clinical parameters, including the cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and immunoglobulins. METHOD Study was made of 20 healthy subjects and 56 patients with β-thalassemia, ranging in age from 3 to 25 years. The serum levels of human neopterin, IL-4, IL-6 and TNF-α were determined by the ELISA method, and of hs-CRP and immunoglobulins IgA, IgM, IgG and IgG subclasses IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 by the nephelometric technique. RESULTS The serum levels of neopterin, IL-6, TNF-α and hs-CRP were significantly higher in patients with β-thalassemia than in normal subjects, but the level of IL-4 was the same in the two groups. The levels of immunoglobulins IgA and IgG, as well as IgG subclasses IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 were significantly higher in patients with β-thalassemia, but the level of IgM was the same as in normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS The increased serum level of neopterin found in patients with β-thalassemia may be due to inflammation occurring with frequent blood transfusions. The increase in neopterin was associated with elevation in hs-CRP, cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and immunoglobulins IgA, IgG and IgG subclasses, and was not affected by sex or age.
Authors and Affiliations
A. M. , ABOI SHANAB, M. -A. EL-DESOUKY, N. KHOLOUSSI, G. EL-KAMAH, A. A. FAHMI
Keywords
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