Biomedical Letters

Effect of Iron over Load on Circulating Liver Enzymes and Blood Glucose in Beta Thalassemia Major Patients

Bashir Ahmad 1, 2*, Nadeem Abbas 1,2, Anas Khalil 1, 2, Farah Deeba Khan 1, 2

1 Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

2 Department of Biochemistry, University College of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Thalassemias are a heterogeneous group of disorders with a genetically determined decrease in the rate of production of one or more forms of normal hemoglobin chains. Thalassemia patients need regular blood transfusions for their existence. As a result of frequent blood transfusions majority of the patients develop iron overload. The present work was planned to study liver dysfunctions and blood glucose estimation in patients with β-thalassemia major due to iron overload. Fifty-three individuals (12 to 23 years) were selected from which 43 were beta thalassemia major patients and 10 normal individuals were taken as a control. Serum ALT, AST, ALP, glucose, Hb, and Ferritin were measured. A significant increase (p<0.05) was recorded in levels of ALT, AST, ALP, glucose, and ferritin in β-thalassemia major patients with comparison to control subjects. A significant decrease (p<0.05) was observed in hemoglobin of β-thalassemia patients as compared to control group. The outcomes of the study revealed a rise in ALT, AST, ALP, Glucose and Ferritin levels and a significant decrease in Hb level in β-thalassemia Major patients as compared to control subjects.