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

Synthesis of citratefrom acetyl coa and oxaloacetate, Synthesis of citratef...

Synthesis of citratefrom acetyl CoA and oxaloacetate: Citrate synthase catalyses this aldol condensation reaction with the release of CoA. There are certain inhibitors to  this re

What are complementary genes, What are complementary genes? Does this inher...

What are complementary genes? Does this inheritance pattern obey Mendel's second law? Complementary genes are the different genes that act together to determine a given phenoty

Basic structure of heart, Basic Structure of Heart The heart is small...

Basic Structure of Heart The heart is small organ about the size of one's fist, located in the middle and slightly to the left of the mediastinum in the chest. The wider t

Explain adverse effects of amprenavir, Explain Adverse effects of Amprenavi...

Explain Adverse effects of Amprenavir  The most common adverse effects have been nausea, vomiting (especially in combination with zidovudine), perioral paresthesias and rash (J

Environment , Environment All organisms are intimately dependent on the ...

Environment All organisms are intimately dependent on the environment from which they derive their sustenance. Organisms from virus to man are obligatorily dependent on the envi

Biological significance of incompatibility, Biological Significance of Inco...

Biological Significance of Incompatibility Both interspecific and intraspecific incompatibility determines the degree of inbreeding and out breeding of plants. Self-incompati

Is the bone marrow made of osseous tissue, Q. In which bones can bone marro...

Q. In which bones can bone marrow chiefly be found? Is the bone marrow made of osseous tissue? Bone marrow can mainly be found in the internal cavities of flat bones, like the

Define indicators at the individual level, Define Indicators at the individ...

Define Indicators at the individual level? Number of individuals who have gone hungry through lack of personal food supply, amount of expenditure on food, percent of disposable

Explain coronaw artery disease, Explain CORONAW ARTERY DISEASE (CAD)? A...

Explain CORONAW ARTERY DISEASE (CAD)? As far as CAD is concerned the people of South Asian region are at a very disadvantageous position. The term 'South Asians' includes perso

The upper or mountain course - classification of the river, The upper or mo...

The upper or mountain course - Classification of the river Here the water is fast flowing and runs through a 'V' shaped valley with unstable banks. The fast flowing water has

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