Evaluation of the effect of eltrombopag therapy on the platelet collagen receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI) expression and soluble GPVI levels in young patients with immune thrombocytopenia.

Background: Platelet glycoprotein VI (GPVI) receptor is essential for platelet adhesion and aggregation. Eltrombopag is as an effective treatment for chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP); yet, its effect on platelet function is not fully characterized.

Aim: This prospective study investigated the effect of eltrombopag therapy on platelet function through assessment of GPVI receptor expression and soluble GPVI levels among pediatric patients with persistent or chronic ITP.

Renal iron deposition by magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric β-thalassemia major patients: Relation to renal biomarkers, total body iron and chelation therapy.

Background: The reciprocal of multiecho gradient-echo (ME-GRE) T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) R2*, rises linearly with tissue iron concentration in both heart and liver. Little is known about renal iron deposition in β-thalassemia major (β-TM).

Aim: To assess renal iron overload by MRI and its relation to total body iron and renal function among 50 pediatric patients with β-TM.

Ischemia-modified albumin as a marker of vascular dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis in β-thalassemia major.

Background: Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is an altered type of serum albumin that forms under conditions of oxidative stress and an independent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events.

Objectives: To measure the levels of IMA in 45 children and adolescents with β-thalassemia major (β-TM) compared with 30 healthy controls and assess its relation to lipid peroxidation, vascular complications and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Methods: β-TM patients without symptoms of heart disease were studied focusing on transfusion history, chelation therapy, serum ferritin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and IMA levels.