Study results from University of Bari in the area of thalassemia published
2009 JUL 27 - (NewsRx.com) -- According to a study from Bari, Italy, "Osteoporosis represents an important cause of morbidity in thalassaemia major patients; the etiopathogenesis is multifactorial and includes expansion of the bone marrow, endocrine disorders, iron overload and genetic factors. Two cytokines, osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), have recently been identified as important mediators in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis." "In this study, the possible role of the OPG-RANKL system in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in thalassemia major is assessed, as well as any correlations between the serum levels of OPG and RANKL and bone mineral density (BMD), 17 beta-estradiol and free testosterone and the relationship between T-score of BM D and OPG/RANKL ratio. In 31 thalassaemia major patients and a control group, the serum values of OPG and RANKL were assayed and correlated with BMD, as well as with the sex hormones values. All the thalassemic patients had reduced BMD and 35.5% presented osteoporosis. The thalassemic patients had significantly higher serum levels of OPG than the controls, while their higher RANKL levels, were at the threshold of significance. The OPG/RANKL ratio showed higher level respect to the controls. No statistically significant correlation was observed between the T-score and RANKL neither between the T-score and OPG nor between T-score and OPG/RANKL ratio. Instead, a statistically significant correlation was found between the T-score and free testosterone and between the T-score and 17 P-estradiol. There was no correlation between the sex hormones and OPG and RANKL. The increased OPG values in thalassemic patients could be considered to compensate the increased bone turnover," wrote A.C. Pietrapertosa and colleagues, University of Bari. The researchers concluded: "The authors confirm hypogonadism as a primary etiopathogenetic factor in the reduced BMD observed in thalassaemia major patients." Pietrapertosa and colleagues published the results of their research in Panminerva Medica (Osteoprotegerin and RANKL in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in patients with thalassaemia major. Panminerva Medica, 2009;51(1):17-23). For additional information, contact A.C. Pietrapertosa, University of Bari Policinico, Hematology Unit, Piazza G Cesare 11, I-70124 Bari, Italy. The publisher of the journal Panminerva Medica can be contacted at: Edizioni Minerva Medica, Corso Bramante 83-85 International Journals Dept., 10126 Turin, Italy. Keywords: Italy, Bari, Beta-Thalassemia, Bone Marrow, Cytokines, Drugs, Endocrine, Estradiol, Hematology, Hormones, Iron Overload, Osteoporosis, Pharmaceuticals, Testosterone, Thalassemia, Therapy, Treatment, University of Bari. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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