Thiol-disulphide Homeostasis in Essential Thrombocythemia Patients

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to show the status of thioldisulphide homeostasis in essential thrombocytosis patients, which is known to play a role in platelet function. METHODS: The study included 27 ET patients and a control group of 36 healthy subjects. Serum total (–SH + –S–S–) and native (–SH) thiol levels were measured in all subjects using an automatic method. RESULTS: Age and gender distribution were similar in both groups. Compared with the control group, in the ET group, there were increased native thiol and total thiol levels (p = 0.001, p = 0.046). There was no correlation between thiol, total thiol and disulphide ratios with Jak2 mutation, hemorrhage and thrombosis. A positive correlation was determined between thrombosis and thiol disulphide homeostasis (p = 0.058). The study results showed that thiol-disulphide homeostasis shifted to the proliferative side in ET, in which ineffective erythropoiesis was predominant. It is also known that platelets are more active in ET cases and thiol disulphide balance is important in platelet function. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that thrombotic complications may be reduced if the formation is achieved of mechanisms (oxidation mechanisms) that will trigger the increase of disulphide groups. However, more extensive research is needed on this subject.