Liver is affected by secondary iron overload in transfusions dependent b-thalassemia patients. The redox iron can generate reactive oxidants that damage biomolecules, leading to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Iron chelators are used to treat thalassemias to achieve negative iron balance and relieve oxidant-induced organ dysfunctions. Green tea (GT) (Camellia sinensis) catechins exhibit anti-oxidation, the inhibition of carcinogenesis, the detoxification of CYP2E1-catalyzed HepG2 cells and iron chelation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of GT in iron-challenged thalassemic mice. Heterozygous BKO type-thalassemia (BKO) mice (C57BL/6) experienced induced iron overload by being fed a ferrocene-supplemented diet (Fe diet) for 8 weeks, and by orally being given GT extract (300 mg/kg) and deferiprone (DFP) (50 mg/kg) for a further 8 weeks. Liver iron content (LIC) was analyzed by TPTZ colorimetric and Perl's staining techniques. Concentrations of liver reduced glutathione (GSH), collagen and malondialdehyde (MDA) were also measured. Dosages of the GT extract and DFP lowered LIC in the Fe diet-fed BKO mice effectively. The extract did not change any concentrations of liver glutathione, collagen and MDA in the BKO mice. Histochemical examination showed leukocyte infiltration in the near by hepatic portal vein and high iron accumulation in the livers of the iron-loaded BKO mice, however GT treatment lowered the elevated iron deposition. In conclusion, green tea inhibits or delays the deposition of hepatic iron in regularly iron-loaded thalassemic mice effectively. This will prevent the iron-induced generation of free radicals via Haber-Weiss and Fenton reactions, and consequently liver damage and fibrosis. Combined chelation with green tea would be investigated in beta-thalassemia patients with iron overload.

Married women in northern Thailand who appear otherwise to be at low risk for HIV infection may be exposed to this virus by their husbands. High rates of sex with commercial sex workers among men and low use of condoms within stable relationships may be important factors promoting the transmission of HIV in married couples. Programs to increase the regular use of condoms among married couples could be an important public health intervention to prevent transmission of HIV and other types of STD in northern Thailand.

Assay of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and/or HbF containing red blood cells (F+ cells) is essential for monitoring sickle cell and thalassemic patients, especially during treatment with HbF stimulators. Some previous flow cytometric methods contain several washing steps. This simplified method contains no washing step and takes less than an hour to perform. The %F+ cells in five mixtures of fetal red blood cells with adult red blood cells were nonsignificantly different in the original and simplified procedure. The %F+ cells of 12 patients compared in these two procedures were also not significantly different. The intra- and interassay %CVs do not exceed 3% and 7% respectively. EDTA, citrate, or heparin is suitable as anticoagulant and the samples can be stored at 4 degrees C for up to 2 weeks. The %F+ cells and %HbF [by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)] of 83 samples were highly significantly correlated regardless of diagnosis. In conclusion, this new simplified flow cytometric method for F+ cells is simple, convenient, rapid, reproducible, and could be applied for monitoring sickle cell and thalassemic patients as an alternative to HPLC, where this is unavailable. It can also be applied as a fetal cell assay in fetomaternal hemorrhage.