Comparison of deferasirox and deferoxamine effect on liver enzyme activities and ferritin level in patients with beta-thalassemia

Abstract

Background and objective: Patients on blood transfusion may develop complications related to iron overload and the effects of chelating agents (drugs), which adversely affect the liver in thalassemia, which is a genetic blood disorder of hemoglobin synthesis that causes severe anemia. This study aimed to assess the effect of deferasirox and deferoxamine drugs on liver enzyme activities (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase), and serum ferritin level in β_thalassemic patients. Methods: This study was carried out in Erbil city from October 2017 to February 2018. Blood specimens were collected in Hawler thalassemia center and Raparin hospital. The samples included 105 individuals; 70 β-thalassemic patients (35 treated by deferasirox as group A and 35 treated by deferoxamine as group B), and 35 healthy individuals (control group C). Results: The serum aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities in β-thalassemic patients were higher than that of controls. The serum alanine transaminase activity in the patients' groups showed non-significant elevation than that of controls. The serum ferritin level in the patients was significantly higher than that of controls. Conclusion: Our finding showed that both deferasirox and deferoxamine drugs affect liver enzymes and increase ferritin level. Keywords: β-thalassemia; Deferasirox; Deferoxamine; Liver enzymes; Ferritin.