16. Sirdah,M.M., El-Agouza I.M.A., Abu Shahla, A.N.K. Possible ameliorative effect of taurine in the treatment of iron-deficiency anemia in female university students of Gaza, Palestine. European Journal of Haematology 2002; 69,4: 236-242.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the haematological effects of adding the antioxidant taurine to iron sulfate in the treatment of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). A sample of 730 students from Al-Azhar University, Gaza, in Palestine underwent screening with complete blood counts and serum samples. In subjects with microcytosis/hypochromasia, Alpha2 delta2 (HbA2) and serum concentrations of iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin and taurine were determined. Samples from 17 normocytic, normochromic, and non-anemic subjects were used as baseline controls. Oral taurine appears to increase the effectiveness of oral iron in the treatment of IDA, and has no significant side effects. This merits further cost–benefit and clinical analyses.