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The following is a summary of “Assessment of ferritin and hepcidin levels in splenectomised and non-splenectomised β-thalassemia major patients and exploring a potential correlation with von Willebrand factor and ADAMTS-13,” published in the April 2025 issue of Annals of Hematology by Awadhi et al. 

Iron overload in β-thalassemia major (β-TM) results from ineffective erythropoiesis, transfusions, and increased iron absorption. It leads to organ damage and increases the risk of thrombosis. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to assess ferritin and hepcidin levels in patients with multi-transfused splenectomized and non-splenectomized β-TM. The study also examined correlations with von Willebrand factor (vWF) and its cleaving protease ADAMTS-13. 

They studied 80 β-thalassemia major patients and 80 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Plasma levels of vWF, ADAMTS-13, and hepcidin were measured using the ELISA method. 

The results showed that all patients had significantly higher ferritin levels compared to controls (P < 0.001), while hepcidin levels were slightly higher (P = 0.05). Ferritin correlated positively with vWF antigen (r = 0.222, P = 0.05), ADAMTS-13 antigen (r = 0.334, P = 0.002), and ADAMTS-13 activity (r = 0.353, P = 0.001). Patients with Splenectomized had higher white blood cell counts, platelet counts, and vWF antigen levels compared to non-splenectomised patients (P < 0.05), but ferritin and hepcidin levels were similar (P > 0.05). Hepcidin was not correlated with any measured parameters (P > 0.05). 

Investigators found that iron overload was evident despite continuous chelation therapy. Ferritin was associated with increased secretion of vWF and ADAMTS-13, while splenectomy had no effect on ferritin or hepcidin levels. 

Source: link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00277-025-06360-8