Evaluation Of Serum Levels Of Erythroferrone And Hepcidin In Egyptian Beta Thalassemia Intermedia Patients And Its Correlation To Iron Overload

Abstract

Beta Thalassemia is a disorder of hemoglobin characterized by a quantitative defect in beta globin chain production, leading to hemolytic anemia, ineffective erythropoiesis and iron overload. Iron overload mediates much of the morbidity and the mortality of the disease. Hepcidin is a peptide hormone that serves as the master regulator of iron metabolism. Hepcidin works on ferroportin, the main iron exporter in cells, causing its internalization and degradation, resulting in the decrease of iron absorption and transport. Erythroferrone, a 340-amino-acid protein plays a role in regulating hepcidin levels in the states of ineffective erythropoiesis. It is suggested to be the principal suppressor of hepcidin in the states of ineffective erythropoiesis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum levels of hepcidin and erythroferrone in beta thalassemia intermedia patients and to identify the prognostic significance of both markers as potential biomarkers for prediction of the degree of iron overload in beta thalassemia intermedia patients and other disease related complications. To achieve