Abstract

The importance of hemoproteins for life lies largely in their iron-mediated chemical properties. In the human body, there are about 4 g of iron, a precious resource preserved by sophisticated recycling mechanisms. Iron is also important for pathogen growth, so it is not surprising that immune cells developed mechanisms to reduce iron availability in cases of inflammation. In healthy conditions, macrophages degrade hemoproteins and export iron, while if inflammation develops, they retain cytoplasmic iron to reduce extracellular iron concentrations. Iron-rich macrophages possess a stronger inflammatory ability, which explains the chronic inflammatory response observed in states of iron overload. Inflammatory bowel syndromes are often characterized by intestinal blood loss and consequent anemia, but iron-supplementation therapies may exacerbate the inflammatory response. In chronically transfused patients iron overload is frequently observed; the iron can become toxic and in excess, even fatal if not treated with iron-chelating drugs.

Autore Pugliese

• Santino Angelo

Tutti gli autori

• Chieppa M.; Galleggiante V.; Serino G.; Massaro M.; Santino A.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Current pharmaceutical design

Anno di pubblicazione

2017

ISSN

1381-6128

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Scopus

Non Disponibile

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile