CD40 ligand and p-selectin in heterozygous beta-thalassemia

Objective: to investigate platelet functions and measure soluble cd40 ligand,soluble p-selectin,betathromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 levels in the blood of heterozygous beta thalassemia patients. methods: the cross-sectional case-control study was conducted at bezmialem vakif university,istanbul,turkey,between september 2013 and april 2014,and comprised heterozygous beta thalassemia patients who were compared with 41 gender-,age- and body mass index-matched controls for platelet function markers. the two groups were also compared for co-morbidities,smoking,and regular medications. results: of the 78(78.78) subjects,50(64%) were women and 28(36%) men with an overall mean age of 39.4±12.7 years (range: 18-79 years). the mean body mass index was 26.3±4.2. the heterozygous beta thalassemia group included 37(47%) subjects [24(65%) females; 13(35%) males] while the control group had 41(53%) [26(63%) females; 15(37%) males]. soluble cd40 ligand and soluble p-selectin were lower in the heterozygous beta thalassemia group (p=0.009; p=0.010). beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 levels were comparable between the groups (p=0.497; p=0.507.) conclusion: some platelet functions may be reduced in heterozygous beta thalassemia patients,which may be related to their lower incidence of cerebral and cardiac ischaemic events. © 2016,pakistan medical association. all rights reserved.