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Disparate phenotypic expression of ALAS2 R452H (nt 1407 G --> A) in two brothers, one with severe sideroblastic anemia and iron overload, hepatic cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

We report the case of a man with severe X-linked sideroblastic anemia, severe iron overload, and hepatic cirrhosis who died of hepatocellular carcinoma. Evaluation of family members using DNA sequencing revealed that he was hemizygous for the novel ALAS2 mutation R452H (exon 9; nt 1407 G --> A). The proband's brother, an ALAS2 R452H hemizygote, had mild anemia and mild iron overload. Four female relatives were ALAS2 R452H heterozygotes, but they had mild or no anemia and no iron overload. Sequencing of TFR2, HFE, FPN1 (SLC40A1), HAMP, HJV, and the erythrocyte pyruvate kinase genes of family members was also performed. We thus detected the novel TFR2 missense mutation I449V (exon 10; nt 1345 A --> G) in the proband's wife and daughter, neither of whom had anemia or iron overload. Possible explanations for the disparate red blood cell and iron phenotypes of the proband and his family members are discussed.

5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase↗

Hepatic iron overload: diagnosis and quantification by noninvasive imaging.

The diagnostic efficacy of magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) for detection and quantification of hepatic iron was assessed in a series of patients under investigation for clinical or biochemical evidence of hepatic iron overload. Thirty patients underwent MR imaging (SE 30,60/1000 or SE 30,60/2000) at 0.5 Tesla with calculation of hepatic T2 and liver to paraspinous muscle signal intensity ratios. Twenty-nine patients also had measurement of hepatic attenuation on noncontrast CT images. Results of these imaging studies were correlated in all patients with quantitative iron determination from liver biopsy specimens. The best predictor of liver iron among parameters studied was the ratio of the signal intensities of liver and paraspinous muscle (L/M) on a SE 60/1000 sequence. Both MR using L/M ratios and CT were sensitive methods for detection of severe degrees of hepatic iron overload with 100% of patients with hepatic iron on biopsy greater than 600 micrograms/100 mg liver dry weight detected on the basis of L/M less than 0.6 or CT attenuation greater than 70 Hounsfield units (HU). The MR parameter, however, was more specific than CT (100 vs 50%) and showed a higher degree of correlation with quantitated hepatic iron from biopsy. T2 measurements showed poor correlation with hepatic iron, due to difficulty in obtaining precise T2 measurements in vivo when the signal intensity is low. None of the parameters utilized was sensitive for detecting mild or moderate degrees of hepatic iron overload. We conclude that MR and CT are sensitive techniques for noninvasive detection of severe hepatic iron overload, with MR providing greater specificity than CT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Orally active iron chelators in the treatment of iron overload.

Data from several trials have provided evidence for the efficacy of deferiprone in the treatment of iron overload in thalassemia major. Deferiprone has now been shown to induce sustained decreases in tissue iron to concentrations that are associated with survival free of the complications of iron overload in deferoxamine-treated patients. Despite this evidence of efficacy, the risk of agranulocytosis mandates a careful evaluation of the risk of this drug in patients willing and able to use deferoxamine. The incidence of agranulocytosis associated with deferiprone is under study in a prospective multicenter trial in Canada, Italy, and the United States, under corporate sponsorship by Apotex Research in Canada. The results of this study should determine the risk associated with the use of this agent and may provide the data required for a US Food and Drug Administration decision regarding licensing of this agent for the treatment of iron overload, a goal supported by investigators worldwide.

Administration, Oral↗

[Magnetic resonance imaging evidence of the effectiveness of combination chelation therapy in iron overload cardiomyopathy].

Heart failure secondary to iron overload is the main cause of death in patients with beta-thalassemia major. Combination therapy with deferoxamine and deferiprone has been shown to be more effective than either drug used alone in patients with beta-thalassemia major and symptomatic cardiomyopathy. Although monitoring the response to chelation therapy is usually carried out by indirect measurement of the serum ferritin level or by direct determination of tissue iron content in biopsy specimens, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) seems to be useful for noninvasive qualitative and quantitative assessment of iron deposition. We present a case in which the efficacy of double chelation therapy in a patient with beta-thalassemia major and heart failure was demonstrated by MRI.

Adult↗

Continuous high-dose intravenous desferrioxamine treatment for iron overload.

We describe a patient with heavy posttransfusion iron overload, to whom continuous high-dose i.v. desferrioxamine was administered shortly before his death. The administration of nearly 500 g of this agent was followed by urinary excretion of 5.4 g of iron. The chelator therapy lost its efficiency in the last of five courses and the patient eventually died as a result of cardiac and hepatic damage related to iron overload. The theoretical and practical implications of these observations are discussed.

Aged↗

Spontaneous iron overload in Sprague-Dawley rats.

In a review of the toxicological studies performed in our laboratory during the period 1986-1995, we occasionally observed significant iron overloading in the liver. Liver tissue was examined by light and electron microscopy, and the results were analyzed by sex and age (7, 9, 11, 19, 31, 59, and 111 wk). The intensity of iron overload increased with age: the accumulation began in pericanalicular siderosomes of periportal hepatocytes and extended progressively to the entire lobule and also to nonhepatocytic cells (Kupffer cells in sinusoids and macrophages around bile ducts in portal tracts) and occasionally with distortion of sinusoids by sideroblastic nodules and moderate enlargement of portal tracts in the oldest animals. No significant inflammatory infiltrates, degeneration, necrosis or fibrosis were noted. Hepatocyte pigmentation alone was prominent at 9 and 11 wk. The frequency of pigmentation of parenchymal and nonhepatocytic cells increased from 9 wk for females; in males, this was seen only at 111 wk. The intensity of pigmentation of nonhepatocytic cells versus parenchymal cells increased with aging. The frequency of those different types of iron overloading was higher for females up to 111 wk. The pathology of spontaneous iron overloading in the Sprague-Dawley rat, described here in spite of differences, has some similarities to that of human hereditary hemochromatosis.

Animals↗

Intestinal iron absorption studies in mouse models of iron-overload.

Three mouse strains have been evaluated as suitable models for investigations into the pathogenesis of iron-overload syndromes. Mice with hereditary heterozygous alpha-thalassaemia had moderately raised reticulocyte counts, but were not anaemic and showed little, if any, iron loading. In contrast, mice with homozygous beta-thalassaemia showed microcytic anaemia, reticulocytosis and splenomegaly. Iron-loading was marked, progressive with age and mainly confined to the spleen. Liver iron-loading increased until the age of 7-8 weeks, with no further increase over successive weeks. Although intestinal iron absorption was modestly increased due to enhanced mucosal uptake, the majority of the 'excess' liver and spleen iron could be accounted for by re-distribution of iron from the erythrocytic compartment. Homozygous hypotransferrinaemic mice, with approximately 1-2% of normal plasma transferrin levels, were markedly anaemic with hypochromic microcytic erythrocytes. Intestinal iron absorption increased 3-4-fold (predominantly due to changes in mucosal transfer), as compared to wild-type controls and heterozygotes, and was ascertained to be a major factor causing the marked hepatic iron overload. Heterozygous hypotransferrinamic mice, with over half normal plasma transferrin levels and a mild degree of hepatic iron loading, showed very similar characteristics to wild-type controls. Thus, of the three models, hpx/hpx mice showed the greatest enhancement in intestinal iron absorption and net iron-loading and provides a suitable animal model of spontaneous iron-overload. Comparison of iron absorption values between the models suggests that reticulocytes cannot account for the enhanced absorption seen in the hpx/hpx mice.

Animals↗

Recombinant human erythropoietin and phlebotomy in the treatment of iron overload in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Five long-term hemodialysis patients with clinical iron overload were treated with 300 U/kg of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) intravenously (IV) after each hemodialysis. The patients were phlebotomized after each hemodialysis at any time the predialysis hematocrit was 35% or greater. Over a period of 1 year, the average phlebotomy rate varied from 0.5 to 1.1 U/wk with a mean phlebotomy rate of 45.8 +/- 5.6 U/yr (range, 27 to 57 U). The mean serum ferritin decreased from 8,412 +/- 1,599 micrograms/L (ng/mL) to 3,007 +/- 1,129 micrograms/L (ng/mL), and the mean iron removal over this period was 9.5 g. Liver iron deposition, as measured by density on computed tomographic (CT) scan, improved, while skin color lightened significantly. Patients tolerated phlebotomy with no major symptoms or complications and exhibited no change in the hemogram or serum chemistries. In patients with severe iron overload, changes in serum ferritin with erythropoietin treatment alone may not reflect true change in iron burden. Use of high-dose erythropoietin and phlebotomy is an effective and safe (at least for 1 year) method of reducing iron overload in long-term hemodialysis patients.

Adult↗

Frequency of the S65C mutation of HFE and iron overload in 309 subjects heterozygous for C282Y.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: HFE-related haemochromatosis is a common disorder of iron metabolism. Most affected individuals are homozygous for the C282Y mutation of HFE. Some are compound heterozygotes for C282Y/H63D. A small proportion have neither of these genotypes. We have investigated the phenotype of compound heterozygotes for C282Y and another missense mutation S65C. METHODS: Genotype for the S65C mutation was determined in 309 subjects heterozygous for C282Y and negative for H63D, referred because of increased serum iron indices or family screening. A control sample comprising 315 individuals was also studied. RESULTS: Twelve individuals were compound heterozygotes for C282Y and S65C. Seven, referred for family screening, had normal serum iron indices. Five subjects had elevated serum iron indices; three of these had elevated hepatic iron and have received treatment for iron overload. Transferrin saturation was significantly elevated in C282Y/S65C compound heterozygotes compared with simple C282Y heterozygotes. CONCLUSIONS: Some C282Y/S65C compound heterozygotes have elevated serum iron indices and iron overload. The penetrance of this genotype is low and other genetic and environmental factors may influence the expression of iron loading. Screening for S65C may be useful in individuals with iron overload who are not homozygous for C282Y or compound heterozygous for C282Y/H63D.

Adult↗

Immunoelectron microscopic localization of hepatic transferrin receptors in human liver with and without iron overload.

The expression of transferrin receptors (TfR's) has been investigated in eight liver biopsy specimens (four from patients without demonstrable iron and four from patients with iron storage due to primary hemochromatosis (HC)) using immunoelectron microscopy to demonstrate TfR's by the simultaneous application of two specific monoclonal antibodies (OKT9 and B3/25) to tissue chopper sections. In the four specimens without iron overload, hepatocytes, but not sinusoidal lining cells, stained positively and immunoreactivity was mainly localized in the cytoplasm. Positively stained cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum indicated synthesis of the TfR. The presence of TfR's on segments and coated invaginations of the sinusoidal membrane and in small, but otherwise unidentified vesicles in the cytoplasm is compatible with endo-/exocytotic transport and recycling of TfR's as demonstrated by biochemical studies. Occasional positively stained material in canalicular lumina together with positively stained canalicular microvilli and pericanalicular vesicles suggest that transcellular transport may be an additional pathway for TfR's. In three biopsies showing severe iron overload due to HC, TfR immunoreactivity was completely absent. The remaining specimen showing HC, exhibited relatively mild iron overload and showed only a few positively stained hepatocytes. This supports the previously reported disappearance of hepatic TfR expression in HC when iron overload is severe.

Hemochromatosis↗

Chronic iron overload inhibits protein secretion by adult rat hepatocytes maintained in long-term primary culture.

Short-term pure cultures and long-term cocultures of adult rat hepatocytes with rat liver epithelial cells, presumably derived from primitive biliary cells, were used to define in vitro models of iron overloaded hepatocytes in order to understand the molecular mechanism responsible for liver damage occurring in patients with hemochromatosis. In vitro iron overload was obtained by daily addition of ferric nitrilotriacetate to the culture medium. A concentration of 20 microM ferric salt induced hepatocyte iron overload with minimal cytotoxicity as evaluated by cell viability, morphological changes of treated cells and cytosolic enzyme leakage into the culture medium. The effects of iron overload on protein biosynthesis and secretion were studied in both short-term pure cultures and long-term cocultures of hepatocytes. The amounts of intracellular and newly synthesized proteins were never modified by the iron treatment. Furthermore, neither the relative amounts of transferrin and albumin mRNAs nor their translational products were altered by iron overload. Moreover, no change in the transferrin isomeric forms were observed in treated cells. In contrast, a prolonged exposure of cocultured hepatocytes to 20 microM ferric salt led to a significant decrease in the amount of proteins secreted in the medium. This decrease included the two major secreted proteins, namely albumin and transferrin, and probably all other secreted proteins. These results demonstrate that iron loading alters neither the total nor the liver specific protein synthesis activity of cultured hepatocytes. They suggest that chronic overload may impede the protein secretion process.

Albumins↗

Chronic liver iron overload in the baboon by ferric nitrilotriacetate. Morphologic and functional changes with special reference to collagen synthesis enzymes.

Two baboons receiving intramuscular injections of ferric nitrilotriacetate over a two-year period were compared with two control baboons. The results indicate that in iron-overloaded animals: liver iron excess was major (maximal liver iron concentration values of 42 mumol/100 mg dry weight for both animals vs 1.3 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SD) in controls) and chronic (for 15 months liver iron concentrations were higher than 15); iron deposition, although less abundant than in sinusoidal cells, was pronounced within parenchymal cells; serum transaminase activities were markedly increased; rare foci of perisinusoidal fibrosis were observed in areas of massive iron overload; and a dramatic decrease in hepatic 4-prolyl-hydroxylase activity was found, in contrast with unchanged glucosyltransferase and galactosyltransferase activities. In conclusion these findings suggest that, in our model, chronic liver iron overload: exerts a marked biochemical cytolytic effect; and does not produce significant hepatic fibrosis, possibly related to an inhibiting effect of ferric nitrilotriacetate complex on 4-prolyl-hydroxylase activity.

Animals↗

Impairment of phagocyte oxidative metabolism in hemodialyzed patients with iron overload.

In order to study the influence of iron overload on the polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) metabolism of patients on chronic hemodialysis, generation of superoxide anion (O2-) by PMN in whole blood was compared in two groups of hemodialyzed patients: group A consisted of twenty-one individuals with serum ferritin levels above 1000 ng/ml and group B of nineteen individuals with serum ferritin levels below 1000 ng/ml. Whereas basal production of O2- was similar in the two groups (6.3 +/- 4.6 vs 11.5 +/- 8.3 nmoles O2- 10(6) granulocytes-1 15 min-1) (mean +/- s.e.m.), PMN response to opsonized zymosan was significantly lower in group A as compared with group B (86.5 +/- 6.3 vs 120.4 +/- 8.2 nmoles O2- 10(6) granulocytes-1 15 min-1) (p less than 0.01). Superoxide anion generation induced by the dialysis procedure was reduced in eight patients from group A (89.2 +/- 32.1) as compared with eight patients from group B (374.3 +/- 100.0 nmoles O2- 10(6) granulocytes-1 15 min-1) (p less than 0.05). These data suggest that iron overload may be involved in the impairment of neutrophil phagocytosis in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Blood Transfusion↗

Iron overload and desferrioxamine chelation therapy in beta-thalassemia intermedia.

This study on serum ferritin levels in urinary iron excretion after 12h subcutaneous infusion of desferrioxamine in 10 thalassemia intermedia patients shows that even nontransfusion-dependent patients may have positive iron balance resulting in iron overload from 5 years of age. However, the iron overload found in these patients appears to be much lower than in age matched patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia major. Iron overload increases with advancing age, as shown by increasing serum ferritin levels and desferrioxamine-induced urinary iron elimination. After a six month trial of 12h continuous subcutaneous desferrioxamine administration there was a significant decline in serum ferritin levels. From this study it seems that iron chelation is indicated in thalassemia intermedia patients over 5 years of age in order to prevent iron accumulation. However, the appropriate treatment schedule should be tailored to the individual needs of each patients, established by close monitoring of serum ferritin levels and desferrioxamine-induced urinary iron elimination.

Adolescent↗

Heterozygosity for the H63D mutation in the hereditary hemochromatosis (HFE) gene may lead into severe iron overload in beta-thalassemia minor: observations in a thalassemic kindred.

Heterozygosity for beta-thalassemia (minor) by itself does not lead into iron overload; however, when it is inherited together with a homozygous state for either the H63D or the C282Y mutations of the hereditary hemochromatosis gene (HFE gene), iron overload may ensue. We describe here a kindred in which the propositus, being heterozygote for beta-thalassemia and the H63D mutation of the HFE gene, developed severe iron overload and in turn, chronic liver failure with portal hypertension. Other members of the family with either beta-thalassemia or heterozygous for the H63D gene mutation did not develop iron overload. The interaction between beta-thalassemia and hereditary hemochromatosis is briefly discussed and speculations about other possible genetic mutations leading into familial iron loading are done.

Adult↗

Ascorbyl radical/ascorbate ratio in plasma from iron overloaded rats as oxidative stress indicator.

Oxidative stress has been developed using dietary carbonyl-iron and iron-dextran parenteral administration as models of in vivo iron overload in rats. Carbonyl-iron led to a 2-fold increase in plasma iron content, a significant decrease (34%) in ascorbate plasma content and non-significant changes in plasma ascorbyl radical content. Iron-dextran produced a dramatic increase (6.7-fold) in plasma iron content, overwhelming the plasma total iron binding capacity. The ascorbyl radical content increased significantly in iron-dextran treatment (2.6-fold) and plasma ascorbate level was not affected. Ascorbyl radical/ascorbate ratio was significantly higher in both iron treated groups as compared with the control group (4 x 10(-4)+/-1 x 10(-4)). Data reported here indicate that the ascorbyl radical/ascorbate ratio is an appropriate in vivo indicator of oxidative stress under conditions of iron overload. The overall mechanism that describes the ascorbate status in plasma seems to be strongly dependent on the way the excess of iron is stored and thus, to the availability of the catalytically active iron for interacting with the plasma components. On this regard, evaluation of A*/AH(-) ratio did not help to discriminate between the possible involved mechanisms.

Animals↗

Quantification of cardiac and tissue iron by nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry in a novel murine thalassemia-cardiac iron overload model.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation parameters can be used to quantify iron in tissues, the relationship between NMR spectrometric T2 relaxation measurements and tissue iron concentration were verified in a novel murine cardiac iron overload model. METHODS: Congenital heterozygous thalassemic mice and controls were injected with intraperitoneal iron or saline and were sacrificed at three weeks. Samples of liver, heart and peripheral muscle were subjected to NMR relaxation measurements and continuous distribution analysis. Tissue ferritin levels were determined with immunoadsorbance techniques, and elemental iron was assayed by flame atomic absorption. Tissues were analyzed pathologically with hematoxylin and eosin and Prussian blue staining to confirm the localization of iron. RESULTS: This murine iron loading model was uniquely successful in loading iron into the major organs, especially the heart, and produced significant reductions in T1 and T2 NMR relaxation values. There was a good correlation between soluble ferritin and total iron levels (r=0.92), indicating that there is a constant and significant fraction of total iron present in ferritin irrespective of absolute iron concentrations. Regression analysis between total iron content and T2 relaxivity showed a linear relationship (r=0.96), suggesting that the T2 relaxation parameter is related to tissue iron concentration. The regression relationship suggested that NMR can detect iron levels as low as 0.1 mg/g of tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Parenteral iron loading in mice produces unique iron overload in major organs, including the heart. Local iron deposition is detectable by NMR relaxometry at 0.1 mg/g or higher. There is a linear relationship between iron concentration and T2 relaxivity. Thus, NMR may be an important and useful clinical tool to quantify iron excess in various pathobiological states of human disease due to iron overload, including heart disease.

Animals↗

Iron status in Danish men 1984-94: a cohort comparison of changes in iron stores and the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron overload.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: From 1954 to 1987, flour in Denmark was fortified with 30 mg carbonyl iron per kg. This mandatory fortification was abolished in 1987. The aim of this study was to compare iron status in Danish men before and after abolition of iron fortification. METHODS: Iron status (serum ferritin, haemoglobin), was assessed in population surveys in Copenhagen County during 1983-84 comprising 1324 Caucasian men (1024 non-blood-donors, 300 blood donors) and in 1993-94 comprising 1288 Caucasian men (1103 non-blood-donors, 185 donors), equally distributed in age cohorts of 40, 50, 60 and 70 yr. RESULTS: In the 1984 survey median serum ferritin values in the four age cohorts in non-blood-donors were 136, 141, 133 and 111 microg/L, and in the 1994 survey 177, 173, 186 and 148 microg L(-1), respectively. The difference was significant in all age groups (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the two surveys concerning the prevalence of small iron stores (ferritin 16-32 micro g L(-1)), depleted iron stores (ferritin <16 microg L(-1)) or iron-deficiency anaemia (ferritin <13 microg L(-1) and Hb <5th percentile for iron-replete men). However, from 1984 to 1994, the prevalence of iron overload (ferritin >300 microg L(-1)) increased from 11.3% to 18.9% (P<0.0001). During the study period there was an increase in body mass index (P<0.0001), alcohol consumption (P<0.03) and use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (P<0.0001), and a decrease in the use of vitamin-mineral supplements (P<0.04) and in the prevalence of tobacco smoking (P<0.0001). In contrast, median ferritin in blood donors showed a significant fall from 1984 to 1994 (103 vs. 74 micro g L(-1), P<0.02). CONCLUSION: Abolition of iron fortification reduced the iron content of the Danish diet by an average of 0.24 mg MJ(-1), and the median dietary iron intake in men from 17 to 12 mg d(-1). From 1984 to 1994, body iron stores and the prevalence of iron overload in Danish men increased significantly, despite the abolition of food iron fortification. The reason appears to be changes in dietary habits, with a lower consumption of dairy products and eggs, which inhibit iron absorption, and a higher consumption of alcohol, meat, and poultry, containing haem iron and enhancing iron absorption. The high prevalence of iron overload in men may constitute a health risk.

Adult↗