Iron Metabolism in the Human Body and its Hygienic Limits for Drinking Water. Review. Part 1

Abstract

Iron is an essential element indispensable for the growth, division, differentiation and functioning of any living cell in the body. for humans iron is vitally important and dangerous at the same time, because with excessive accumulation it causes oxidative stress with the formation of highly active oxygen radicals and reactive forms of nitrogen that can destroy cell membranes, proteins, nucleic acids, reduce cell viability, which, according to modern concepts, can contribute to the development of many diseases (cardiovascular, rheumatic, gastrointestinal, neurodegenerative, oncological, metabolic and others), and also accelerate the aging process. This review discusses the issues of iron metabolism in humans, including its regulation at the cellular and systemic levels, the intake, transport, use, accumulation and export of iron in cells, the role of the labile iron pool in the cytoplasm of cells and plasma non-transferrin bound iron. There are provided data on the causes, prevalence iron overload in the formation of free radicals, the development of oxidative stress and related common diseases, as well as information on ferroptosis, a new type of iron-dependent regulated cell death. Attention is paid to the works of domestic authors, where it was found that prolonged use of drinking water with a high iron content is unfavorable for the population and leads to an increase in the overall incidence, the development of diseases of the blood, skin and subcutaneous tissue, musculoskeletal system, digestive system, urogenital system, and allergic diseases. There are cited separate publications on the possibility of a negative effect of iron at concentrations in water at a level of 0.3 mg/l and lower. The materials of the review emphasize the preventive value of a cautious attitude to regulating iron in the water of the Russian Federation, where 1/3 of the population uses iron-containing water for drinking, and substantiate the feasibility of establishing a hygienic standard for iron in water not higher than 0.3 mg/l, without inclusion in regulatory documents level of 1 mg/l as permissible.