Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin in beta-thalassaemia carriers
Introduction: In Malaysia, 4.5% of the population are carriers of beta-thalassaemia and a moderately high prevalence of iron deficiency has been reported. Both these conditions have red cells that are hypochromic and microcytic. Serum ferritin has been used to determine the status of iron storage an...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia
2008
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/14549/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/14549/1/Erythrocyte%20Zinc%20Protoporphyrin.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848842424564056064 |
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| author | George, Elizabeth Ng, M. L. Tan, Mary Anne Jin Ai |
| author_facet | George, Elizabeth Ng, M. L. Tan, Mary Anne Jin Ai |
| author_sort | George, Elizabeth |
| building | UPM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Introduction: In Malaysia, 4.5% of the population are carriers of beta-thalassaemia and a moderately high prevalence of iron deficiency has been reported. Both these conditions have red cells that are hypochromic and microcytic. Serum ferritin has been used to determine the status of iron storage and reduced levels are seen in iron deficiency. Serum ferritin, however, is an acute phase reactant and levels may increase in tissue necrosis and inflammatory disease. In iron deficiency, the enzyme ferrochelatase catalyses the incorporation of zinc, instead of iron into porphyrin IX, resulting in the formation of zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP). Objective: To determine the erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin levels in beta-thalassaemia carriers as a surrogate marker of functional iron deficiency. Methods: Automated blood counts and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) were determined in 57 beta- thalassaemia carriers. The assay of ZnPP was done on washed red blood cells using a haematofluorometre. Results and Discussion: Nineteen (33.3%) of beta-thalassaemia carriers had raised ZnPP levels indicating the presence of functional iron deficiency. Conclusion: Both iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia carriers have hypochromic red cells and iron deficiency that can co-exist in a carrier with beta-thalassemia. Individuals with this finding may benefit from iron supplementation. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T07:58:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | upm-14549 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T07:58:55Z |
| publishDate | 2008 |
| publisher | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | upm-145492016-11-30T02:49:49Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/14549/ Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin in beta-thalassaemia carriers George, Elizabeth Ng, M. L. Tan, Mary Anne Jin Ai Introduction: In Malaysia, 4.5% of the population are carriers of beta-thalassaemia and a moderately high prevalence of iron deficiency has been reported. Both these conditions have red cells that are hypochromic and microcytic. Serum ferritin has been used to determine the status of iron storage and reduced levels are seen in iron deficiency. Serum ferritin, however, is an acute phase reactant and levels may increase in tissue necrosis and inflammatory disease. In iron deficiency, the enzyme ferrochelatase catalyses the incorporation of zinc, instead of iron into porphyrin IX, resulting in the formation of zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP). Objective: To determine the erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin levels in beta-thalassaemia carriers as a surrogate marker of functional iron deficiency. Methods: Automated blood counts and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) were determined in 57 beta- thalassaemia carriers. The assay of ZnPP was done on washed red blood cells using a haematofluorometre. Results and Discussion: Nineteen (33.3%) of beta-thalassaemia carriers had raised ZnPP levels indicating the presence of functional iron deficiency. Conclusion: Both iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia carriers have hypochromic red cells and iron deficiency that can co-exist in a carrier with beta-thalassemia. Individuals with this finding may benefit from iron supplementation. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia 2008-01 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/14549/1/Erythrocyte%20Zinc%20Protoporphyrin.pdf George, Elizabeth and Ng, M. L. and Tan, Mary Anne Jin Ai (2008) Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin in beta-thalassaemia carriers. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 4 (1). pp. 51-55. ISSN 1675-8544 http://www.medic.upm.edu.my/dokumen/FKUSK1_MJMHS_2008V04N1_OP03.pdf |
| spellingShingle | George, Elizabeth Ng, M. L. Tan, Mary Anne Jin Ai Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin in beta-thalassaemia carriers |
| title | Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin in beta-thalassaemia carriers |
| title_full | Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin in beta-thalassaemia carriers |
| title_fullStr | Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin in beta-thalassaemia carriers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin in beta-thalassaemia carriers |
| title_short | Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin in beta-thalassaemia carriers |
| title_sort | erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin in beta-thalassaemia carriers |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/14549/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/14549/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/14549/1/Erythrocyte%20Zinc%20Protoporphyrin.pdf |