Abstract:
Background: Recent studies have discovered that α-globin is expressed in blood vessel
walls where it plays a role in regulating vascular tone. We tested the hypothesis that
blood pressure (BP) might differ between normal individuals and those with
α
+
thalassemia, in whom the production of α-globin is reduced.
Methods and results: The study was conducted in Nairobi, Kenya, among 938
adolescents aged 11 to 17 years. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP monitoring and
arterial stiffness measurements were performed using an arteriograph device. We
genotyped for α+
thalassemia by polymerase chain reaction. Complete data for analysis
were available for 623 subjects; 223 (36%) were heterozygous (-α/αα) and 47 (8%) were
homozygous (-α/-α) for α+
thalassemia whereas the remaining 353 (55%) were normal
(αα/αα). Mean 24-hour systolic BP ±SD was 118±12 mm Hg in αα/αα, 117±11 mm Hg
in -α/αα, and 118±11 mm Hg in -α/-α subjects, respectively. Mean 24-hour diastolic BP
±SD in these groups was 64±8, 63±7, and 65±8 mm Hg, respectively. Mean pulse wave
velocity (PWV)±SD was 7±0.8, 7±0.8, and 7±0.7 ms-1
, respectively. No differences were
observed in PWV and any of the 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring-derived measures
between those with and without α+
thalassemia.
Conclusions: These data suggest that the presence of α+
thalassemia does not affect BP
and/or arterial stiffness in Kenyan adolescents.