Splenectomy may not influence glutathione metabolism in children with beta-thalassaemia major.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate glutathione and its related enzymes in beta-thalassaemia major and to elucidate the effect of splenectomy on glutathione metabolism. The study includes three groups, those are: healthy individuals (n= 35) taken as control, a group of beta-thalassaemia major children with intact spleen (n= 29) and a group of splenectomized beta-thalassaemia major children (n= 11). Levels of reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenases in erythrocytes were estimated in all groups. Levels of glutathione p< 0.001 and glutathione reductase p< 0.05 in thalassaemic groups significantly increased, whereas glutathione peroxidase levels p< 0.005 were significantly decreased when compared to control. Glutathione and enzymes levels followed the same pattern in splenectomized group when compared to nonsplenectomized one; however the difference between the various parameters was not significant. Glutathione and its redox enzymes were severely disturbed in thalassaemic patients. Splenectomy, however appears to have no role in influencing glutathione metabolism in betathalassaemia major children.