Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019045 (hemoglobinopathies)
 2,704 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Beta-Thalassemia hemoglobin E (beta-thal/Hb E) is the commonest form of hemoglobinopathy in Thailand. Shortened red cell life span, rapid iron turnover and tissue deposition of excess iron are major factors responsible for functional and physiological abnormalities found in various forms of thalassemia. Increased deposition of iron had been found in renal parenchyma of thalassemic patients, but no systematic study of the effect of the deposits on renal functions has been available. The purpose of this study is to describe the functional abnormalities of the kidney in patients with beta-thal/Hb E and provide evidence that increased oxidative stress might be one of the factors responsible for the damage. Urine and serum samples from 95 patients with beta-thal/Hb E were studied comparing with 27 age-matched healthy controls. No difference in the creatinine clearance was observed. beta-thal/Hb E patients excreted significantly more urinary protein (0.8+/-0.5 vs. 0.3+/-0.1 g/day, p < 0.001). Aminoaciduria was found in 16 % of the patients. Analysis of urinary protein by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and silver staining revealed abnormal pattern of protein with increased small molecular weight (<45 kD) bands. Morning urine analysis showed significant lower urine osmolality (578.3+/-164.6 vs. 762.4+/-169.9 mosm/kg, p < 0.001) in patients. Patients excreted more NAG (N-acetyl beta-D-glucosaminidase, 26.3+/-41.3 vs. 8.4+/-3.9 U/g Cr, p < 0.0001) and beta2-microglobulin, 124.3+/-167 vs. 71+/-65.5 microg/g Cr, p = 0.001. Plasma and urine MDA (malonyldialdehyde) levels were both raised (p < 0.0001). Nine patients were selected for renal acidification study. All were found to be normal, but showed poor response to DDAVP challenge (urine osmolality 533+/-71). This is the first report of renal tubular defects found associated with beta-thal/Hb E disease. The mechanism leading to the damage is not known but it might be related to increased oxidative stress secondary to tissue deposition of iron, as indicated by the raised levels of serum and urine MDA. It is not known whether these functional defects would have any long-term effects on the patients. Further studies are warranted and means of prevention of these defects should urgently be sought.
Nephron 1998
PMID:Renal function in adult beta-thalassemia/Hb E disease. 949 31

Beta-thalassemia minor is a hemoglobinopathy which has been known as a symptomless carrier state. Although there are many causes leading to renal tubular dysfunction, beta-thalassemia minor has not been reported among them in reviewing the literature. In a 20-year-old male patient referred to us because of glucosuria detected with dipstick, there was also anemia (hemoglobin, 11.5 g/dl; mean cell volume, 60 fl; and mean cell hemoglobin concentration, 19.5 pg). The 24-hour urinary glucose excretion rate was 5 g and, additionally, he had tubular proteinuria (albumin/beta(2)-microglobulin ratio in urine was 17.32). Based upon the detailed evaluation for both asymptomatic urinary abnormality and anemia, he was diagnosed as having renal tubular dysfunction and beta-thalassemia minor (hemoglobin A(1)was 91%, and hemoglobin A(2)was 9%). In conclusion, further reports are needed to reveal whether there is an association between these two distinct disorders.
Nephron 2002 Sep
PMID:Renal tubular dysfunction in a patient with beta-thalassemia minor. 1218 8