P-Selectin and PSGL-1 in Beta Thalassemia Major Iraqi Patients: A Comparative Study

Thalassemia, a group of recessively inherited disorders, is characterized by persistent anemia of varying severity and diminished or nonexistent hemoglobin synthesis. Approximately 80 - 90 million individuals, including approximately1.5 percent of the population, are affected by β thalassemia. Beta thalassemia is associated with more than 200 identified mutations. The elevated prevalence of thalassemia in the area extending from sub-Saharan Africa to the Middle East can be attributed to the evolutionary link between malaria resistance and the thalassemia carrier state.

This study included 100 patients (50 males and 50 females) with β-thalassemia major (β-TM). The subjects were classified into two groups: Group 1 (G1) included individuals diagnosed with a body mass index (BMI) below 30, while Group 2 (G2) included individuals with a BMI above 40. A third group of healthy individuals without any known medical conditions was included as a control group (G3). Blood samples were collected, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of P-selectin and PSGL-1.

The results showed that PSGL-1 may be a more reliable diagnostic biomarker. P-selectin was also found to be useful, although less effective, particularly in identifying obesity-related conditions in individuals with lower BMI.

This study aimed to evaluate P-selectin and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) as potential biomarkers in Iraqi patients with β-thalassemia major and to assess the effect of obesity on their serum levels.

These findings may help improve the understanding of the relationship between obesity and hematological complications in patients with β-thalassemia.