Purpose: The aim of this study was to study paraoxonase and arylesterase activities along with oxidative status parameters, and to find out whether there is any increased susceptibility to atherogenesis, which might be reflected with increased oxidative stress and decreased serum paraoxonase/arylesterase activity in beta-thalassemia major (BTM) patients.
Patients and methods: Eighty-seven patients with BTM and 33 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study.
Results: Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were significantly lower in BTM patients than controls (for all P<0.0001), whereas total oxidant status, total peroxide concentration levels, and oxidative stress index were significantly higher (P<0.0001, <0.0001, and <0.001, respectively). Correlations were found between serum iron and ferritin and levels of total oxidant status in BTM patients. Significant correlation was found with serum total peroxide concentration levels and paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in patients with BTM.
Conclusions: It was seen that oxidative stress increases, while serum paraoxonase activity is decreased in BTM patients. Decrease in paraoxonase activity seems to be associated with both the degree of oxidative stress and anemia. BTM patients may be more prone to development of atherogenesis because of low serum paraoxonase/arylesterase activity.