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

Explain corrective surgery - endodontic surgery, Explain Corrective Surgery...

Explain Corrective Surgery - Endodontic Surgery perforation repair periodontal management (root resection, tooth resection) intentional reimplantation

Why women considered the weaker sex, The Y chromosome (for males) is less p...

The Y chromosome (for males) is less protective against hereditary diseases than the X chromosome. Why then are women considered the weaker sex?

Types of blastula, TYPES OF BLASTULA - Blastulas are of following type ...

TYPES OF BLASTULA - Blastulas are of following type -                    1 .       STEREOBLASTULA - The blastocoel is very small. It's blastomere are less in num

Amitosis, AMITOSIS This  is  direct  cell division  in which  the genet...

AMITOSIS This  is  direct  cell division  in which  the genetic material is not duplicated and  hence its distribution  to the daughter cells  is not  precisely half  and half,

Evolutionary innovation presented by nematodes, Q. What is the major evolut...

Q. What is the major evolutionary innovation presented by nematodes? What is the benefits of that innovation? The major evolutionary innovation of nematodes is the complete dig

Explain the storage of vitamin e, Explain the Storage of Vitamin E? Vi...

Explain the Storage of Vitamin E? Vitamin E is mainly stored in muscles and adipose tissue. Vitamin E content of erythrocytes is about 20 percent of that in plasma and there i

What is pulmonary stenosis, Pulmonary Stenosis :  The obstruction may be v...

Pulmonary Stenosis :  The obstruction may be valvar, infundibular or supra valvar.

Role of nacl in metabolism, ROLE OF NaCl - It forms .9% of blood of ...

ROLE OF NaCl - It forms .9% of blood of mammal. It forms .7% of blood of frog. Bicarbonates of Na+ act as buffer for pH constancy. Involved in active transport of gluc

What is colloids and suspensions , What is Colloids and Suspensions ? ...

What is Colloids and Suspensions ? Colloids and Suspensions :  Colloids and suspensions are mixtures in which larger particles replace solutes. Colloids, or colloidal suspe

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