Mehmet Ali Cikrikcioglu, Rabia Bag Soytas, Mustafa Cakirca, Mehmet Zorlu, Muharrem Kiskac, Sebnem Emegil, Elif Ece Dogan, Yahya Sekin, Jamshid Hamdard, Cumali Karatoprak, Elif Kilic, Aybala Erek Toprak, Guven Cetin.
CD40 ligand and P-selectin in heterozygous Beta-thalassemia.
J Pak Med Assoc Jan ;66(6):699-704.

Objective: To investigate platelet functions and measure soluble CD40 ligand, soluble P-selectin, beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 levels in the blood of heterozygous beta thalassemia patients. Methods: The cross-sectional case-control study was conducted at Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey, between September 2013 and April 2014, and comprised heterozygous beta thalassemia patients who were compared with 41 gender-, age- and body mass index-matched controls for platelet function markers. The two groups were also compared for co-morbidities, smoking, and regular medications. Results: Of the 78(78.78) subjects, 50(64%) were women and 28(36%) men with an overall mean age of 39.4±12.7 years (range: 18-79 years). The mean body mass index was 26.3±4.2. The heterozygous beta thalassemia group included 37(47%) subjects [24(65%) females; 13(35%) males] while the control group had 41(53%) [26(63%) females; 15(37%) males]. Soluble CD40 ligand and soluble P-selectin were lower in the heterozygous beta thalassemia group (p=0.009; p=0.010). Beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 levels were comparable between the groups (p=0.497; p=0.507.) Conclusion: Some platelet functions may be reduced in heterozygous beta thalassemia patients, which may be related to their lower incidence of cerebral and cardiac ischaemic events.

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