Upregulation of Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin, NGAL/Lcn2, in β-Thalassemia Patients

BackgroundOne of the major consequences in β- thalassemia is iron overload. Oxidative statuses have been reported in β-thalassemia patients by several studies. It has been proven that iron plays a critical role in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). More recently, we have found the induction of Lcn2/NGAL expression under oxidative stress condition. In this study, it was assumed that NGAL should be upregulated in β-thalassemia patients because of oxidative stress condition.MethodsAssessment of NGAL expressions in 25 adult β-thalassemia and 9 pediatric patients was performed by semiquantitative RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR and ELISA.ResultsAdult β-thalassemia patients upregulated NGAL expression compared with the normal samples but no upregulation was observed in pediatric patients.ConclusionsUpregulation may play an important role in decreasing ROS or iron in β-thalassemia patients.