In recent years there has been important advancement in our knowledge of iron metabolism regulation that also has implications for understanding the physiopathology of some human disorders like beta-thalassemia and other iron overload diseases. In fact, progressive iron overload is the most salient and ultimately fatal complication of beta-thalassemia. Iron deposition occurs in visceral organs ...

Abstract Background Iron overload is the main transfusion related side effects in patients with transfusion dependent hemoglobinopathies. Severe iron deposition in tissues leads to organ dysfunction. Many organs can be affected such as heart, liver, and endocrine organs. Cardiac failure and liver fibrosis are the consequent of Iron overload in transfusion dependent hemoglobinopathy. Magne...

Many Korean patients with transfusion-induced iron overload experience serious clinical sequelae, including organ damage, and require lifelong chelation therapy. However, due to a lack of compliance and/or unavailability of an appropriate chelator, most patients have not been treated effectively. Deferasirox (DFX), a once-daily oral iron chelator for both adult and pediatric patients with trans...

Introduction: Eastern India -the melting pot of different heterozygous Sickle cell syndrome. Mostly NTDT, we wanted to study the pattern of iron overload in this heterogeneous yet homogenous group of patients. As there is no such study from this part of the world, it would reveal the true state of iron overload, appropriate test/s and chelation requirement. Methodology: 152 subjects of Sickle c...

Low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been suggested to affect the brain via alterations of blood-brain barrier permeability to iron. Because of an immature blood-brain barrier, the young brain may be particularly vulnerable to EMF exposure. It is therefore possible that behavioral and neurotoxic effects resulting from EMF-induced iron excess in the brain would be greater in young adu...

We previously demonstrated that iron overload induces liver damage by causing the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Taurine is a potent free radical scavenger that attenuates the damage caused by excessive oxygen free radicals. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether taurine could reduce the hepatotoxicity of iron overload with regard to ROS production. Mice...

GENETIC IRON OVERLOAD disorders are prevalent yet poorly understood. Over the past 3 years, the discoveries of the hereditary hemochromatosis gene and an intestinal iron transporter have significantly advanced our understanding of iron metabolism. Furthermore, they have suggested novel links between molecules involved in immune defense and iron homeostasis. These findings lay the foundation for...

Millions of people worldwide suffer from iron overload toxicity diseases such as transfusional iron overload in thalassaemia and hereditary haemochromatosis. The accumulation and presence of toxic focal iron deposits causing tissue damage can also be identified in Friedreich's ataxia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, renal and other diseases. Different diagnostic criteria of toxicity and therapeutic i...

Liver iron overload is the histological hallmark of hereditary hemochromatosis and transfusional hemosiderosis, and can also occur in chronic hepatopathies. Iron overload can result in liver damage, with the eventual development of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Assessment of liver iron levels is necessary for detection and quantitative staging of iron overload and moni...

In the absence of an iron chelating agent, patients with beta-thalassemia on regular transfusions present complications of transfusion-related iron overload. Without iron chelation therapy, heart disease is the major cause of death; however, hepatic and endocrine complications also occur. Currently there are three iron chelating agents available for continuous use in patients with thalassemia o...