Orn-Uma Sroijit. Effect of curcumin on nonheme iron and platelet factor 3 like activity in Beta-thalassmia/HbE patients . Master's Degree(Biochemistry). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2003.
Effect of curcumin on nonheme iron and platelet factor 3 like activity in Beta-thalassmia/HbE patients
Abstract:
Beta-thalassemia/HbE is one of the more common genetic diseases occurring at a frequency of 3-9%. β-thalassemic erythrocytes contain excess α-chains causing oxidative stress. Sites of globin chain accumulation carrying iron, heme, and hemichrome may be involved in oxidant attack on the membrane. Oxidative damage to the membrane is apparently correlated to a high content of nonheme iron, nontransferrin-bound iron (NTBI), and ferritin. Excess of iron causes a deleterious oxidative reaction in red blood cell (RBC) membranes as indicated by increased lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, the RBCs lose their membrane in term of vesicles and exposure phosphatidylserine (PS) vesicles. The presence of PS on the outer surface RBC could account for the elevated levels of platelet factor 3 (PF3) like activity. In addition, PS exposure can play a role in hypercoagulation. This study investigated the effect of the natural antioxidant curcumin, from the rhizomes of turmeric Curcumin longa L, on toxic iron and PF3 like activity in β-thalassemia/HbE patients. Twenty-four patients were recruited and received 500 mg curcumin daily for 6 months. They were then assessed every month during treatment and again after withdrawal from treatment for 3 months. Eight patients were selected to be given placebo for 2 months. The administration of curcumin for 6 months significantly reduced nonheme iron, NTBI, and MDA while ferritin level remained unchanged. Curcumin also significantly decreased the PF3 like activity in thalassemic patients. Neither percentage vesicles nor absolute vesicles were changed whereas the positive PS vesicles were significantly lower than before treatment. Most biochemical parameters
described above returned to baseline after withdrawal. On the contrary, all parameters before and after receiving placebo were not changed.
This study suggested that β-thalassemia/HbE patients undergo oxidative stress. The treatment of curcumin for 6 months in thalassemic patients improved oxidative damage to the membrane. Curcumin can also chelate NTBI and decrease an effect on hypercoagulation state in patients. Therefore, antioxidant supplementation would be beneficial for thalassemic patients as an adjunct therapy to improve oxidative status.