Association of AST, ALT, ALB and Total Protein with Beta-thalassemia in Bangladeshi Population

Beta-thalassemia is one of the most common hereditary hematologic disorders characterized by severely impaired ?-globulin synthesis. Our objective of the study was to estimate the AST, ALT, ALB and total protein levels to evaluate the heart and liver functions in beta-thalassemia patients. The study comprises a total of 65 subjects including patients with beta-thalassemia (n=35) and healthy volunteer (n=30) matched by age and sex. Hemoglobin (Hb) analysis was done using HPLC. Serum total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were determined by Biolis 24i Automated Clinical Analyzer. Serum AST (aspertate transaminase) and ALT (alanine transaminase) were determined by enzymatic method. The AST and ALT levels were significantly (p<0.001, respectively) increased in beta-thalassemia patients when compared to the controls. On the other hand, there were no significant differences found in TP and ALB levels in patients with beta-thalassemia. There were negative correlations of Hb level with AST (r = -0.4; p<0.05) and ALT (r = -0.5; p<0.01) levels while no correlations with TP (r = 0.3; p>0.05) and ALB (r = 0.1; p>0.05) levels were found among patients. Our findings indicate that abnormal AST and ALT levels exist in patients with ?- thalassemia. The increased in AST and ALT levels indicate that patients with ?- thalassemia are in increased risk of heart and liver dysfunction.