Pulmonary affection and serum transforming growth factor-β1 among Egyptian children with thalassemia major

Background Pulmonary affection in patients with thalassemia major (TM) is well established; however, a special pattern of disease has not yet been observed. Suggestions in preference of the role for transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β) superfamily members in the pathogenesis of airway obstructive diseases has arisen from previous genetic studies. Objectives We aimed to assess TGF-β1 serum level in the blood and its relation to pulmonary affection in children with TM. Patients and methods A total of 40 patients with β-TM were included, who were compared with 40 age-matched and sex-matched normal children as a control group. Cases were subjected to clinical assessment for anthropometric measurements and respiratory examination, spirometry, and chest radiograph, whereas serum TGF-β1 was assessed in cases and control using a TGF-β1 capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Different patterns of pulmonary dysfunction in spirometry were found: 12 (30%) patients had obstructive pattern, seven (17.5%) patients had restrictive pattern, nine (22.5%) patients had mixed pattern, whereas 12 (30%) patients had normal pulmonary function. Moreover, a significant negative correlation between serum TGF-β1 and both forced expiratory volume in 1 s (r: −0.317, P Conclusion Inflammatory markers such as serum TGF-β1 may play a role in pulmonary affection in patients with thalassemia, either obstructive or restrictive pattern. There is a potential role of excess ferritin deposited in the airways, resulting in obstructive pulmonary pattern in pulmonary function tests.