RESUMO
Background and Aims: iron deficiency anemia [IDA] and beta thalassemia minor [BTM] are the most common hypochromic microcytic anemias, and it is regarded important to differentiate between them. Several formulae can be taken into consideration based on red blood cell [RBC] parameters in order to distinguish between these two disorders. Hence, the present study intended to evaluate the sensitivity as well as specificity of some of these formulae
Materials and Methods: in this cross-sectional study, IDA was diagnosed in 200 patients based on hypochromic and microcytic RBC appearance, reduced mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin and ferritin as well as increased total iron binding capacity. Furthermore, BTM was diagnosed via hypochromic microcytic appearance of RBC and increased hemoglobin A2 level. Then, IDA and BTM diagnosis were confirmed using the formulae of King-Green, Mentzer index, England and Fraser, Shine and Lal, Srivastava and Sirdah. The sensitivity and specificity of these formulae were calculated as well
Results: the study findings demonstrated that based on the study criteria, out of 200 patients with hypochromic microcytic RBC appearance, 120 were afflicted with IDA and 80 suffered from BTM. The formulae-based diagnosis demonstrated that King- Green formula was the most reliable one
Conclusions: although King-Green formula had the highest sensitivity and specificity and was the most reliable formula, none of the formulae revealed 100% sensitivity and specificity. As a result, making definitive distinction between IDA and BTM is not possible using these formulae
RESUMO
The major hemoglobin in the fetus is hemoglobin F [alpha2gamma2], whereas in adult humans, hemoglobin A [alpha2beta2] is predominately expressed. Several studies have indicated that expression of the HbF subunit gamma-globin might be regulated post-transcriptionally. This could be done by small non-coding RNAs called microRNAs which target mRNAs in a sequence-specific manner and lead to translational repression or mRNA decay. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of miR-26b up-regulation on gamma-globin gene expression in K-562 cell line. These cells were grown in RPMI 1640 and pre miR-26b and were transfected within K-562 cell line using lentiviral vector. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis in selected days, miRNA up-regulation was confirmed by miRNA real time PCR and then gamma and beta chain and GATA-1 expression were investigated by RT and QRT-PCR. The viability of cells before transfection was 90%. Three and 7 days after transfection, through the use of relative Q-PCR, the gamma chain expression increased 3.7, 6.8 and 3.8 folds and GATA-1 expression increased 2.1, 6.0 and 8.0 in comparison with untransfected cells. The data suggest that miR-26b can be involved in the increase of gamma-globin gene expression in K-562 cell line. We suggest that miR-26b may be a significant therapeutic target for increasing HbF levels in patients with sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia