Sesh 5- Haemopoiesis, Iron and Anaemia Flashcards
What is the normal range for blood platelet count?
150-400 X 10^9/L
What is the lifespan of a red blood cell?
120 days
What happens to the globin chains following Hb breakdown?
Broken down into their constituent amino acids which are then recycled
What is bilirubin excreted as in the faeces?
Stercobilin
What are the 2 main metabolic pathways in red blood cells?
- glycolysis
2. pentose phosphate pathway
Where is EPO produced, and in response to what?
Peritubular cells of the kidney in response to hypoxia
What is the action of EPO?
Stimulates maturation and release of red blood cells from the bone marrow
Why are the levels of iron in the body tightly controlled?
There is no specific mechanism for its excretion
Name 2 ways iron is stored in the body.
- 95% Ferritin in hepatocytes
2. 5% as Haemosiderin in Kupffer cells
Where does most active Fe come from?
Rbc (Hb) breakdown
Why are haem iron sources better than non-haem sources?
They don’t have to be converted from the ferric (Fe 3+) to the ferrous form (Fe 2+) to be transported across the intestinal epithelium
Roughly how much iron do we need in our diet per day?
10-15 mg
What does Fe2+ bind before being absorbed into the small intestine?
Transferrin
In what parts of the small intestine is iron absorbed?
Duodenum and upper jejunum
How is iron exported out of the enterocyte into the bloodstream?
Bound to ferroportin
How is iron transported in the bloodstream?
Bound to transferrin
How is iron taken into red blood cells?
Iron-transferrin complex binds to transferrin receptor
Which cells have the highest number of transferrin receptors?
Erythroid cells
What is the effect of vitamin C on iron absorption?
Enhances absorption of non-haem iron
Name 3 things that inhibit Fe absorption
- Tea
- Chapatis
- Antacids
What is hepcidin?
A negative regulator of iron absorption produced by the liver
What is the action of hepcidin?
- Binds ferroportin for internalisation and degradation
- Fe can’t pass from enterocytes into the blood
- Recycled Fe from macrophages cannot enter blood
What 3 things is hepcidin regulated by?
- HFE gene
- Inflammatory cytokines
- Transferrin Receptor
In what circumstance would hepcidin synthesis and release be up-regulated?
Iron overload
List some signs of iron deficiency
- Pallor and pale conjunctiva
- Tachycardia
- Increased respiratory rate
- Glossitis
- Angular stomatitis
- Koilonychia- spooning of nails
What epithelial changes are associated with iron deficiency?
- Glossitis
- Angular stomatitis
- Koilonychia