Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent monogenic hemoglobin disorder that presents a global burden with life-threatening complications. More studies are needed to understand the complex pathophysiology that causes multi-organ damage and develop effective approaches that ameliorate the clinical complications of patients with SCD. In the present study, we aimed to explore the relationship of Kallistatin with VEGF-A and TNF-α in patients with SCD.
Materials and methods: Thirty patients with SCD and 28 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were included in the study. Serum Kallistatin, VEGF-A and TNF-α levels were measured by Enzyme-Linked Absorbent Assay (ELISA) and biochemical parameters were analyzed with routine techniques.
Results: The levels of Kallistatin, VEGF-A, leukocyte, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, LDH, and CRP were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group whereas RBC and hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in patients than healthy individuals. Kallistatin levels were positively correlated with AST, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, LDH, CRP, VEGF-A. VEGF-A levels were positively correlated with WBC, ALT, total bilirubin, while VEGF-A negatively correlated with RBC and hemoglobin. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic for Kallistatin and VEGF-A were 0.8536 and 0.7488, respectively.
Conclusion: We report for the first time that Kallistatin could be a novel marker associated with the pathogenesis of SCD.
Key words: Kallistatin, VEGF-A, Sickle Cell Disease, Angiogenesis
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