Two trade names of deferasirox (Osveral® and Exjade®) in reduction of iron overload parameters in major beta-thalassemia patients: A randomized open labeled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Beta-thalassemia major patients typically require chronic transfusion and iron-chelating agents to reduce serum iron overload. Osveral® is an available Iranian brand name of deferasirox used by majority of thalassemic patients. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of Osveral® vs. Exjade® in major beta- thalassemia patients. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, all patients received a single daily dose of 30 mg/kg either of Osveral® or Exjade® for 6 months. Primary outcome was the mean of bimonthly changes in serum ferritin concentration and secondary outcomes included mean changes of heart and liver MRI T2* after a year. RESULTS: Finally, 80 patients completed the study. The mean serum ferritin level at the end of sixth month significantly decreased in Osveral® and Exjade® groups (p<0.01). After a year, means cardiac MRI T2* in Osveral® group were changed from 25.9±9.6 ms to 25.4±9.7 ms and in Exjade® group from 24.8±9.2 ms to 26.9±5.9 ms, with no significant difference (P=0.43). Mean liver MRI T2* for Osveral® and Exjade® groups were 8.6±6.4 ms (baseline 6.3±4.7) and 6.3±4 ms (baseline 4.9±3.5), respectively and there was no significant difference between two study arms (P=0.1). CONCLUSION: Osveral® decreased significantly the serum ferritin level and improved heart and liver iron overload as efficient as Exjade®. It can be a suitable cost-effective alternative agent in beta-thalassemia major patients.

Evaluation of soluble human leukocyte antigen-G in peripheral blood of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Research says that diabetes may develop in over 10% of non-diabetic pregnant women. Diabetes which generally occurs late in second trimester and third trimester of pregnancy, it is called gestational diabetes. Overweight or suffering from obesity before pregnancy is type 2 diabetes risk factor. In most cases, diabetic symptoms disappear after delivery. HLA-G has an important role both in mother and fetus tolerance during pregnancy, it may also be effective in the protection of pancreatic islet cells. In this study, concentration of these molecules in pregnant women with gestational diabetes in comparison with normal pregnant women was investigated. METHODS: In this case-control study, we measured serum HLA-G levels in 24 pregnant women with gestational diabetes compared with 30 normal pregnant women using sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: HLA-G levels were significantly low in pregnant women with gestational diabetes in contrast to normal pregnant women (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that HLA-G levels were reduced in women with gestational diabetes compared with control group. Therefore, it is suggested that measurement of HLA-G in pregnant women can be considered as an indicator in prognosis of gestational diabetes.