What is iron overload and toxicity, Biology

Assignment Help:

What is Iron Overload and Toxicity?

We have seen that absorption of iron is very effectively regulated. This prevents overload of the tissues with iron from diet/supplements in normal healthy individuals. However, an excessive body burden of iron can be produced by greater-than-normal absorption from the alimentary canal, by parenteral injection or by a combination of both. For instance, people with genetic defects develop iron overload as it occurs in idiopathic haemochromatosis. It is a hereditary disorder of iron metabolism characterized by abnormally high iron absorption owing to a failure of the iron absorption control mechanism at the intestinal level.

High deposits of iron in the liver and the heart can lead to cirrhosis, hepatocellular cancer, congestive heart failure and eventual death. African or Bantu siderosis, chronic liver disease, pancreatic insufficiency, shunt haemochromatosis and certain types of refractory anaemia have been found to be associated with iron overload. It has recently been shown that excess iron intake via overuse of iron supplements could pose a possible health risk. Cellular and tissue injury due to free radical reactions appears to be the possible mechanism. Normally iron is bound tightly to the proteins. However, it is possible that excess iron intake permits some iron to be in a free form. Associated complications may include increased risk for bacterial infection, neoplasia, arthopathy, cardiomyopathy and endocrine dysfunction.


Related Discussions:- What is iron overload and toxicity

History of evolution, History of evolution? Evolution is usually define...

History of evolution? Evolution is usually defined as "change over time." In spite of the incredible diversity of life found on Earth, many fundamental characteristics are shar

In which strcture sperm cells go after passing epididymides, Q. After passi...

Q. After passing the epididymides through which structures do sperm cells go until exteriorization? After leaving the epididymis in the testicle sperm cells enters the vas defe

Compare and contrast covalent and ionic bonds, Compare and contrast covalen...

Compare and contrast covalent and ionic bonds in molecules, give an example of each.

Illustrate morphological evidence, Q. Illustrate Morphological Evidence? ...

Q. Illustrate Morphological Evidence? Morphology is the study of structure and form of plants and animals usually dealing with the organism and its component organs. Morphologi

Does ploidy reduction occur in mitosis, During which meiosis division does ...

During which meiosis division does ploidy reduction occur? Does ploidy reduction occur in mitosis? In the cell division by meiosis ploidy reduction occurs in meiosis II. Initia

What is phylum annelida - segmented worms, What is Phylum Annelida - Segmen...

What is Phylum Annelida - Segmented Worms? Members of this Phylum are commonly known as the segmented worms. The body of a segmented worm is made of many individual ring-like s

Psilopsida, why psilopsida have rootless sporophyte

why psilopsida have rootless sporophyte

What causes acid precipitation, What causes acid precipitation? Acid pr...

What causes acid precipitation? Acid precipitation is the result of air pollutants that combine with water vapor in the atmosphereto form acids, causing precipitation that is m

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd