Abstract
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like (PXL) condition is one of the complications faced by patients with β-thalassemia major (β-TM). Histopathological features include abnormal, mineralized and fragmented elastic fibers in skin, eyes and arterial blood vessels (elastorrhexia). The pathogenesis of PXL lesions in β-TM is not yet completely understood. This study was aimed at analyzing a possible implication of α-Klotho in the clinical manifestation of PXL in patients with β-TM (30 with and 78 without PXL). A significant correlation was observed between Klotho, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum calcium (Ca). Our analysis seems to indicate α-Klotho and PTH as factors that can affect the development of PXL.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Ms. Cinzia Tonioli, Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pediatrics, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy, for administrative support.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.