A doctoral dissertation titled “Galactin-3 Gene Expression and Evaluation of Some Interleukins in Beta Thalassemia Major Patients” was discussed in the Chemistry Department of the College of Education at Al-Qadisiyah University. The dissertation was presented by researcher Abbas Abdul Radam, under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Sundus Karim Hamza.
The aim of the dissertation was to identify some oxidative factors: the human superoxide dismutase enzyme, the ability to scavenge hydroxyl free radicals, and the total oxidative state. It also aimed to identify some immune factors: interleukin-34 and interleukin-37, and to identify some programmed cell death factors: caspase-3 and caspase-7.
The most important conclusions were that serum levels of IL-34 and IL-37 were significantly elevated in beta thalassemia major patients. Significantly elevated levels of caspase-3 and caspase-7 were observed in beta thalassemia major patients, indicating increased apoptotic activity associated with the disease. Gene expression of gal-9 and gal-3 is decreased in patients with beta thalassemia major. Key recommendations include genetic testing for galectin-3 and galectin-9 expression in patients at risk for thalassemia, further research into the use of interleukins and caspases as therapeutic targets, and the clinical application of oxidative markers in disease monitoring.