Correlation between serum levels of RANKL with Cardiac abnormalities in Thalassemia Major Patients

Beta thalassemia is an autosomal, recessive disorder, characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis. Chronic transfusions and inability of body to eliminate iron lead to an iron overload, thereby causing damage to heart. The pathways implicated in iron-mediated heart diseases are reactive oxygen species (ROS) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B(RANK)/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) axis-mediated inflammation. The aim of the study was to investigate serum level RANKL in left ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH), diastolic dysfunction Ejection fraction (EF), Pulmonary Artery Pressure (PAP)and MRIT*2 in thalassemia major patient.

eighty two β-thalassemia patients older than 10 years were enrolled for the study. Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography analysis and MRIT2 was done in all patients. Serum RANKL levels were estimated by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed with spss20.

Mean age of patients was 23.69±6.83 years. LVH and diastolic dysfunction was present in 24 (29.30%) and 23 (28%) patients, respectively. There were no association's serum RANKL with diastolic dysfunction, LVH Ejection fraction (EF), Pulmonary Artery Pressure (PAP) and MRIT*2 were observed.

Cardiac involvement in this disease does not appear to depend on RANKL serum level.