Zinc improved erythrocyte deformability and aggregation in patients with beta-thalassemia: An in vitro study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Sinan, Mukaddes^{a; b; c} | Yalcin, Ozlem^{d; e} | Karakas, Zeynep^f | Goksel, Evrim^{d; e} | Ertan, Nesrin Zeynep^{a; c; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Physiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey | [b] Istanbul University, Institute of Graduate Studies of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey | [c] Department of Physiology, Istanbul Aydin University, Faculty of Medicine, Besyol, Kucukcekmece, Istanbul, Turkey | [d] Department of Physiology, Koc University, Faculty of Medicine, Sariyer, Istanbul, Turkey | [e] Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey | [f] Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Nesrin Zeynep Ertan, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey; Present address: Istanbul Aydin University, Medical Faculty, Department of Physiology, Besyol, Kucukcekmece, Istanbul, Turkey. Tel.: +90 532 5655881 (Mobile); +90 212 4441428 (work); Fax: +90 212 4255759; E-mails: nzertan@istanbul.edu.tr and nesrinertan@aydin.edu.tr.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Thalassemia patients have reduced red cell deformability and decreased plasma zinc levels in their blood. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zinc (Zn) on the hemorheological parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities in β-thalassemia major (TM) and healthy volunteers (HV). METHODS:Hemorheological parameters were measured using LORCA (laser-assisted optical rotational cell analyzer) after adjusting the hematocrit to 40%. Zinc sulfate (ZnSO4.7H2O) was used for Zn incubation with a concentration of 0.5μg/dl. Oxidative stress and antioxidant status were determined using commercial kits. RESULTS:Data showed that after Zn incubation, EImax, the area under the EI-osmolarity curve (Area), and Omax decreased in TM. However, no significant difference was observed in the osmotic deformability parameters of HV. The increased elongation index was obtained at different shear stresses for TM and HV, and SS1/2 decreased in both groups. The AMP and aggregation index (AI) decreased in TM, and the required time for half of the maximum aggregation (t1/2) increased in HV. However, Zn did not affect oxidative parameters in both groups. CONCLUSIONS:This study showed that Zn incubation increased deformability and decreased aggregation in thalassemic erythrocytes. It means that Zn supplementation will contribute to microcirculation in thalassemia patients.

Keywords: Thalassemia, zinc, erythrocyte aggregation, deformability, osmotic deformability, antioxidant

DOI: 10.3233/CH-221452

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 85, no. 1, pp. 1-12, 2023