serum dickkopf-1 and correlation with bone mineral density in patients with beta thalassemia major in north-eastern of iran

Background and aims: iron overload is one of the effects of frequent transfusion in beta-thalassemia major (btm) patients. osteopenia and osteoporosis are the secondary complications of frequent transfusion due to toxic effects of iron on osteoblasts. dickkopf-1 (dkk-1) is a secreted protein which plays an important role in the development of osteoporosis. the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dkk-1 protein and iron overload in btm patients. materials and methods: fifty btm patients and fifty healthy individuals participated in this case-control study. each group were similar in terms of age and gender. we evaluated serum levels of dkk-1 and ferritin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) method. dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry method was used to evaluate patients bone density. complete blood count and osteoporosis parameters (densitometry test results) were checked in both groups. results: the mean age of bmt patients was 25.82 years (24 male/26 female); it was 26.98 years (25 male/25 female) in control group. significantly, the serum level of dkk-1 was higher in btm samples (p<0.001). mean of dkk-1 was 34447.1 pg/ml in patients, and 15252.0 pg/ml in controls. mean of serum ferritin was 3808.6 ng/ml and 73.9 ng/ml in both groups, respectively. a significant association was found between dkk1, ferritin and osteoporosis parameters (p<0.001). conclusions: probably, dkk-1 protein plays a significant role in the development and intensification of osteoporosis in btm patients; it can be used as an applicable factor for early diagnosis of osteoporosis and follow-up in adult btm patients.