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

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 mu-thalassemia major (TM) and healthy volunteers (HV). METHODS: Hemorheological parameters were measured usingLORCA(laser-assisted optical rotational cell analyzer) after adjusting the hematocrit to 40%. Zinc sulfate (ZnSO4.7H(2)O) was used for Zn incubation with a concentration of 0.5 mu g/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.