Evaluation of the levels of some neurotransmitters in patients with thalassemia major

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the variables related to the neurotransmitters and the effects of thalassemia disease due to the appearance of numbness and weakness in the extremities, especially the lower limbs. Around 60 blood samples were collected from patients with thalassemia major and 30 samples from healthy people and separated in a centrifuge to obtain the serum which was used to conduct biochemical tests. The results indicated a highly significant increase in the enzyme monoamine oxidase, serotonin N-acetyltransferase and galanin, which reached $(1.160 \pm 12.45)$, $(1.03 \pm 12.40)$ and $(37.8 \pm 878.4)$ respectively compared to the healthy ones, where it reached $(0.813 \pm 7.45)$ and $(1.52 \pm 7.73)$ and $(25.2 \pm 253.0)$. As for the values of glutamate carboxypeptidase 2 and dopamine, there was a significant decrease in the amount of $(0.889 \pm 2.470)$ and $(1.09 \pm 1.93)$ respectively compared to the healthy ones, which amounted to $(1.18 \pm 5.270)$ and $(3.18 \pm 7.24)$. Neurological changes due to chronic iron accumulation, anemia, and iron chelation therapy.