Iron health and disease Flashcards
functions of iron
oxygen transport in Hb
electron transport in mitochondria
Iron is a safe element, true or false
FALSE
it is dangerous
why is iron dangerous and what needs to be done as a result
due to production of free radicals and oxidative stress
iron needs to be transported and stored safely
how is iron excreted
it is not
there is no mechanism for this
where is the majority of iron found in the body
in Hb (haem)
why do macrophages have an iron store
because they take up aged RBCs which contain iron
how can iron loss occur
physiological bleeding
shedding of skin cells, enterocytes
where does iron absorption occur
duodenum - proximal gut
which dietary factors increase iron absorption
haem iron transporter - haem iron
ascorbic acid
alcohol
which absorbs easier, haem or non-haem iron
haem iron due to presence of haem iron transporter
which dietary factors decrease iron absorption
tannins in tea
phytates - nuts, cereal, seeds
calcium
Where is Duodenal Cytochrome B enzyme found
What is its function
luminal surface of gut wall
reduces Fe3+ to Fe2+
what is the function of DMT-1
transports Fe2+ into duodenal enterocyte
what is the function of ferroportin
exports iron out of the enterocyte and passes it onto transferrin
what is hepcidin
major negative feedback regulator of iron absorption
where is hepcidin produced
in the liver in response to ^ iron or inflammation
how does hepcidin work
binds to ferroportin and degrades it meaning iron is trapped in duodenal enterocytes and macrophages
It cannot get to the rest of the body
Hepcidin levels are high/low in iron deficiency
low
in order to bind to transferrin, iron must be oxidised/reduced
oxidised - in the Fe3+ state
How can you assess iron status
functional iron
transported iron
storage iron