Free alpha chains Vs free beta chains

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Offline Manal

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Free alpha chains Vs free beta chains
« on: July 11, 2011, 03:28:35 PM »
1- I was just wondering does the excess beta chains in HB H (alpha thal) have the same bad effect in terms of oxidative stress as the excess alpha chains in beta thal  intermedia? 

2- When hydroxurea is given to beta thal, the purpose is to make the gamma chains combine with the excess alpha chains in order to produce fetal hb. What I can not understand is that why hydroxurea is sometimes given to HB H patients. They don't have enough alpha chains in the first place, so to what will the gamma chains combine with?

Manal

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Offline Andy Battaglia

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Re: Free alpha chains Vs free beta chains
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2011, 05:13:15 PM »
I was not aware that hydroxyurea is used with HbH. It would not be able to help raise Hb for the reasons you stated.
Andy

All we are saying is give thals a chance.

 

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