Scientific Journal of

  Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 For a successful prevention program, globin chain synthesis, as a complementary test beside DNA analysis, is necessary. So, it is important that each laboratory establishes its own reference range for the classification of thalassemia syndromes by globin chain synthesis. Globin chain synthesis is a relatively complex test introduced in the study of thalassemia syndromes as a reference method. The technique is also useful for variant chain identification.This study aims to stablish the method of globin chain synthesis to determine a / b chain ratio in healthy individuals.

 Materials and Methods

 In this study globin chain analysis was performed on 30 healthy laboratory personnels with normal HbA₂ and normal hematological indices. In this method a reticulocyte-rich sample is incubated with a mixture of amino acids, one of which (leucine) radioactively labelled. After washing the excess radioactivity and precipitating the globin, different chains are separated by cation exchange chromatography.

 Results

 The mean a / b ratio was 1.045 ± 0.12 (mean ± 1SD) in healthy subjects. Our findings were in agreement with those of the other investigators in the world.

 Conclusions

 In any screening program, diagnostic problems will arise that can not be solved without biosynthetic studies. The Clegg and Weatherall method has been proved to be very reliable and reproducible, but time-consuming (requiring four days). New methods like reverse phase HPLC are now available for chain separation. Therefore, according to the procedures each laboratory should determine its own reference range.

 Key words : a globin, b globin, Hemoglobin, Normal range, Ion exchange chromatography