Abstract
The free form of the iron ion is one of the strongest oxidizing agents in the cellular environment. The effect of iron at different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 microM Fe3+) on the normal human red blood cell (RBC) antioxidant system was evaluated in vitro by measuring total (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and reductase (GSH-Rd) activities. Membrane lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). The RBC were incubated with colloidal iron hydroxide and phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.45, at 37 degrees C, for 60 min. For each assay, the results for the control group were: a) GSH = 3.52 +/- 0.27 microM/g Hb; b) GSSG = 0.17 +/- 0.03 microM/g Hb; c) GSH-Px = 19.60 +/- 1.96 IU/g Hb; d) GSH-Rd = 3.13 +/- 0.17 IU/g Hb; e) catalase = 394.9 +/- 22.8 IU/g Hb; f) SOD = 5981 +/- 375 IU/g Hb. The addition of 1 to 100 microM Fe3+ had no effect on the parameters analyzed. No change in TBARS levels was detected at any of the iron concentrations studied. Oxidative stress, measured by GSH kinetics over time, occurs when the RBC are incubated with colloidal iron hydroxide at concentrations higher than 10 microM of Fe3+. Overall, these results show that the intact human RBC is prone to oxidative stress when exposed to Fe3+ and that the RBC has a potent antioxidant system that can minimize the potential damage caused by acute exposure to a colloidal iron hydroxide in vitro.
Highlights
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common cause of chronic anemia throughout the world, mainly in developing countries
Membrane lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS)
These results show that the intact human red blood cell (RBC) is prone to oxidative stress when exposed to Fe3+ and that the RBC has a potent antioxidant system that can minimize the potential damage caused by acute exposure to a colloidal iron hydroxide in vitro
Summary
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common cause of chronic anemia throughout the world, mainly in developing countries. In addition to blood loss and iron malabsorption, anemia may be caused by inadequate diet [1], blood withdrawn by diagnostic phlebotomy in hospitalized patients [2], hookworm infestation [3], and chronic inflammatory disease [4]. Once the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia is confirmed and the possible causes are identified and treated, replacement of iron stores is indicated. Most patients respond favorably to oral iron preparations. When oral supplementation is not possible or fails, the use of parenteral iron is indicated [5]. Side effects, which are usually mild, may occur in 25% of patients receiving parenteral iron treatment [6]
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