Studies from Democritus University, Cardiology Division have provided new data on thalassemia epidemiology
2009 MAY 25 - (NewsRx.com) -- Investigators publish new data in the report 'Oxidised low-density lipoprotein and arterial function in beta-thalassemia major.' "Vascular abnormalities such as endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness have been described in patients with beta-thalassemia major (beta-TM). Increased concentrations of oxidised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (oxLDL) have been observed in those patients, but possible associations between oxLDL and arterial function in beta-TM have not been defined," scientists in Greece report. "Twenty-six patients (11 males) with beta-TM (age 23 ±4 yr) and 30 age and gender-matched healthy subjects were studied. Aortic stiffness was assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVc-f) using applanation tonometry; brachio-radial artery stiffness was assessed by carotid-radial PWV (PWVc-r). Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and oxLDL (ELISA) were also measured. Patients with beta-TM had higher oxLDL levels (68.6 ±13.7 mU/mg vs. 50.0 ±12.6 mU/mg, p=0.005), decreased FMD (3.6 ±2.5% vs. 7.3 ±3.5%, p=0.001) and higher PWVc-f compared with controls (8.4 ±1.7 vs. 7.2 ±1.1. p<0.002). FMD of the brachial artery was negatively associated with OxLDL concentrations in simple linear (r(2)=-0.25, p=0.001) and multiple linear regression analysis (beta=-0.242, p=0.03, R(2)=0.43, p=0.0002). PWVc-r was positively associated with OxLDL (r(2)=0.23, p=0.003) and showed a tendency in multiple regression analysis (beta=0.18, p=0.05). PWVc-r and FMD were also significantly correlated (beta=-0.213, p=0.04) in beta-TM patients. There was no association between oxLDL and PWVc-f. An association between oxLDL, arterial elastic properties and endothelial dysfunction of muscular arteries was found," wrote D.A. Stakos and colleagues, Democritus University, Cardiology Division. The researchers concluded: "OxLDL may represent a contributing factor for the vascular manifestations described in beta-TM patients." Stakos and colleagues published their study in European Journal of Haematology (Oxidised low-density lipoprotein and arterial function in beta-thalassemia major. European Journal of Haematology, 2009;82(6):477-83). For additional information, contact D.A. Stakos, Democritus University of Thrace, Cardiology Division, Alexandroupolis, Greece. The publisher's contact information for the European Journal of Haematology is: Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA. Keywords: Greece, Thalassemia Epidemiology, Angiology, Beta-Thalassemia, Brachial Artery, Cardiology, Epidemiology, Gender Health, Gender Medicine, Hematology, Radial Artery, Thalassemia, Women's Health. This article was prepared by Cardiovascular Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Cardiovascular Week via NewsRx.com.
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