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

Determine the floor of nose and nasal spine, Floor of nose and Nasal spine ...

Floor of nose and Nasal spine Although variable, the nasal floor is typically situated 5-9mm below the level of inferior turbinates. The inferior piriform rim is used as a guid

Pre pregnancy counselling, Pre Pregnancy Counselling To prevent excess...

Pre Pregnancy Counselling To prevent excess spontaneous abortions and congenital malformations in infants of diabetic mothers, diabetic care, education and counselling must be

Explain the before abutment connection - implant failures, Before Abutment ...

Before Abutment Connection There can be wound dehiscence, and the presence of signs of infection such as swelling, fistula, pain prior to stage to surgery. It is important t

Metabolic events, Metabolic Events Let us now examine the changes that...

Metabolic Events Let us now examine the changes that occur in the seeds after they imbibe water. In general, the most important metabolic events are: Degradation

Explain about the food product development, Explain about the Food product ...

Explain about the Food product development? Food product development is often commodity related. This type of research needs to be carried out in the pilot plants with the equi

Essentiality of phosphorus for growth of microorganism, Define Essentiality...

Define Essentiality of Phosphorus for Growth of Micro-Organism Phosphorus is used in the form of phosphate salt by microorganisms. It is involved in formation of nucleic acids,

Chemical properties of soil, CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL Soil is a high...

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL Soil is a highly dynamic system which supports complex chemical reactions. In this heterogeneous systems, the soil solution acts as the medium for c

Illustrate stents, Q. Illustrate Stents? Stents are metallic scaffolds ...

Q. Illustrate Stents? Stents are metallic scaffolds that are deployed within a diseased segment of a coronary artery to establish and then maintain a widely patent lumen. Stent

What do you mean by ventricular arrhythmias, Q. What do you mean by Ventric...

Q. What do you mean by Ventricular Arrhythmias? Considerable disagreement exists regarding the significance of resting ventricular ectopic beats. In study comparing the coronar

Process of stabilize lipoprotein structure, Q. Process of stabilize lipopro...

Q. Process of stabilize lipoprotein structure? Ans. Apoproteins not only stabilize lipoprotein structure but also have other important regulatory functions in lipoprotein

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