Mean Serum Iron Concentration Research Articles

Plasma soluble transferrin receptor assay when screening for iron‐deficiency in an unselected population of elderly anaemic patients

Plasma soluble transferrin receptor assay when screening for iron-deficiency in an unselected population of elderly anaemic patients

Influence of infection on iron profile in severely malnourished children

To study the iron profile and find out an accurate diagnostic tool which reflects iron status in different types of infection in severely malnourished children aged 12 months to 71 months. Hundred and Eight (108) children of whom 72 children were infected and 36 non infected severely malnourished children according to WHO criteria in the age group of 12-71 months were interrogated. 36 healthy control in the same age group were also interrogated. Mean serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin concentration in normal children were significantly higher (P<0.001) than non-infected severely malnourished children. On the other hand mean serum ferritin concentration was significantly higher (P<0.001) in infected group than non-infected group but still lower than normal. Mean serum TIBC concentration significantly reduced in severely malnourished children than normal children but no significant difference was observed between non-infected and infected group. Mean serum iron, and transferrin saturation were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in parasitic infestation. Severely malnourished children had reduced mean serum iron profile. Parasitic infestation influenced the marked reduction of mean serum iron concentration and transferrin saturation level. Mean serum iron concentration was reduced in acute respiratory infection(ARI) and parasitic infestation than other infections. Serum ferritin concentration was elevated in all types of infection as acute phase protein but still lower than normal. So Iron, TIBC and Transferin saturation <16% constitute good evidence for iron deficiency in both infected and non-infected severely malnourished children.

Pesquisa das deleções -α3.7 e -α4.2 no agrupamento de genes da alfa globina humana e avaliação do perfil clínico-laboratorial em indivíduos com fenótipo de hemoglobina AS

Abstract In Brazil, studies have shown a high frequency of the - α3.7deletion and rare reports of the -α4.2 deletion. This study aimedat evaluating individuals with the hemoglobin AS phenotype andinvestigating the presence of alpha thalassemia in this population.Sixty-one individuals with hemoglobin AS and AA phenotypeswere selected. All were submitted to molecular analysis of the -α3.7 and -α4.2 deletions and evaluation of hematologic, bio-chemical and urinary profiles. The mean VCM (79.85 fL ± 3.2)was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in individuals with alphathalassemia. The mean serum iron concentration was significantlylower in individuals with the AA phenotype (77 mcg/dL ± 30 - p =0.013) compared to AS individuals (98 mcg/dL ± 34) however, bothlevels were within the normal range. The other parameters, in-cluding ferritin, transferrin, total iron binding capacity, total bi-lirubin, bilirubin fractions and lactate dehydrogenase showed nosignificant differences. Statistically significant differences werenot observed between the groups in respect to hemoglobinuriaand hematuria. The frequency of alpha thalassemia in the studiedpopulation was 25.0%. Of the AS individuals, 13.3% presentedinteractions with - α + thalassemia (- α3.7/αα). Among individualswith normal hemoglobin phenotypes, five (8.3%) were heterozy-gous for the -α3.7 deletion and one individual (1.7%) was het-erozygous for the -α4.2 deletion. One individual (1.7%) wasidentified with a non-identified alpha chain variant in associa-tion with - α + thalassemia (- α3.7/αα). The molecular diagnosisof alpha thalassemia (deletion of one gene) is of extreme impor-tance, both for patients with sickle cell trait and for individualswith the AA phenotype, even in the absence of altered hemato-logical parameters. It is important to remember that the use ofmicrocytosis and hypochromia as diagnostic criteria for alphathalassemia may underestimate the frequencies of this genetic al-teration.

The differentiation of anaemia in rheumatoid arthritis: parameters of iron-deficiency in an Indian rheumatoid arthritis population

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is common in Indian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We evaluated red blood cell indices, serum iron related and bone marrow iron stores measurements in diagnosing iron deficiency in patients with RA. Fifty consecutive anaemic patients with RA had their complete blood counts, red cell indices, serum iron, serum ferritin and serum total iron binding capacity (TIBC) measured and underwent posterior iliac crest bone marrow aspiration. Fixed smears were stained for iron with Perl's Prussian blue and patients who had no (grade 0) or minimal stainable iron (grade I) were regarded as iron deficient and rest iron replete (grade II-IV) and hence as having anaemia of chronic disease (ACD). To determine diagnostic power of tests used for diagnosing iron deficiency in addition to positive likelihood ratio, sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive values; receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were plotted and areas under the receiver-operating curves were compared. Eighteen patients (36%) had IDA and 32 (64%) had ACD. Correlation between the bone marrow iron stores and serum ferritin was poor in the IDA group (r = -0.09, P = 0.57) and significant in the ACD group (r = 0.79, P < 0.0001). Areas under the ROC curves for mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCV), serum iron, TIBC and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were relatively low (0.52, 0.71, 0.75 and 0.77, respectively) and these tests had low positive likelihood ratios (1.08, 2.13, 4.62 and 1.5, respectively). Both area under ROC curve [0.98, 95% confidence interval (0.94, 0.99)] and negative predictive value (97%) were highest when cut off serum ferritin was <82 microg/l. In patients with RA serum iron, TIBC, MCV and MCHC have limited value in diagnosing iron deficiency. In this study compared to American and European studies a much higher cut off value of serum ferritin had most diagnostic power for detecting iron deficiency. Bone marrow iron stores measurements appears to be the most reliable method for diagnosing IDA however, it needs to be taken in conjunction with other laboratory findings and the clinical scenario.

Single-Dosage Pharmacokinetics of Sodium Ferric Gluconate Complex in Iron-Deficient Pediatric Hemodialysis Patients

The clinical use of sodium ferric gluconate complex in iron-deficient pediatric patients receiving hemodialysis was recently approved. This study was designed to describe the pharmacokinetic parameters of the medication. Iron-deficient pediatric (< or = 15 yr) hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to two doses (1.5 and 3.0 mg/kg) of sodium ferric gluconate complex. Blood samples taken during a 1-h infusion and at multiple intervals during 48 h were analyzed for total iron, transferrin-bound iron, and sodium ferric gluconate complex-bound iron. Forty-nine patients (mean age 12.3 +/- 2.5 yr) participated in the study. Mean serum iron concentrations rapidly increased in a dosage-dependent manner. A rapid rise in total serum iron was followed by a slower, less prominent rise in transferrin-bound iron. This was qualitatively confirmed by visualization of the transferrin bands from polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Single-dose pharmacokinetics of sodium ferric gluconate complex-bound iron was described using noncompartmental analytical methods. Mean values for the 1.5 mg/Kg dose were as follows: t(1/2) 2.0 +/- 0.7 h, Cmax 1287 mcg/dl, Tmax 1.1 +/- 0.23 h, Cl 0.69 +/- 0.50 L/h, Vd 1.6 +/- 0.6 L, AUC(0-infinity). 9499 +/- 4089 mcg x hr/dl. The infusion of sodium ferric gluconate complex to pediatric patients who receive hemodialysis appears to result in a delayed transfer of iron to transferrin, likely after an initial movement through the reticuloendothelial system. Differences noted between the pediatric and adult pharmacokinetic data may result from the unique aspects of the study populations and the respective study designs.

Anaemia, iron deficiency and vitamin A status among school-aged children in rural Kazakhstan

To investigate the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency and vitamin A status among school-aged children in rural Kazakhstan and identify factors associated with anaemia in this population. A cross-sectional design. School-aged children in rural Kazakhstan. Socio-economic and anthropometric information was collected from 159 school-aged children living in the Kzyl-Orda region of Kazakhstan. Blood samples were collected and the concentrations of haemoglobin (Hb), serum iron, serum ferritin (SF), erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP), serum retinol and beta-carotene, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation (TS) and other haematological indices were measured. Among the 159 children, the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency defined by the multiple criteria model (SF, TS and EP) was 27% and 13%, respectively. Nine per cent had iron-deficiency anaemia and 21% had serum retinol value < 1.05 micromol l(-1). Mean SF and serum iron concentrations and TS were significantly lower in anaemic children than in their non-anaemic peers, while TIBC and EP were significantly higher in children with anaemia. Hb was significantly correlated with serum iron and retinol concentrations. Serum retinol and SF concentrations and mean corpuscular volume were significantly correlated with Hb by multiple regression analysis. Anaemia among school-aged children in rural Kazakhstan appears to be related to iron indices and vitamin A status.

Single‐dose pharmacokinetics (PK) of ferric gluconate (FG) in iron‐deficient pediatric hemodialysis patients

Purpose: Limited information exists on the use of any intravenous iron preparation in pediatric HD patients. This study was designed to describe the PK parameters of FG, now approved for use in children on HD. Methods:Iron‐deficient pediatric HD pts (≤15 yr) were randomized to 2 doses of FG. Blood samples taken during a 1 hr infusion and at intervals over 48 hrs were analyzed for total iron, transferrin‐bound iron (TBI), and FG‐bound iron (FGI). Results:49% of pts were male, 88% white, 57% age 6–12 yr, wt 16.3–63.2 Kg, ht 100–177.5 cm. Mean serum iron concentrations (total iron and FGI) rapidly increased in a dose‐dependent manner, approximately proportional to the FG dose administered. A rapid rise in total serum iron was followed by a slower, less prominent rise in TBI. Single‐dose PK of FGI was adequately described using non‐compartmental analytical methods. A standard 2‐compartment NONMEM model successfully fit the data and accurately described the time‐course of FGI concentrations. Pharmacokinetic Parameter 1.5 mg/kg FG (n = 22) 3.0 mg/kg FG (n = 26) Cmax(mean ± SD, mcg/dL) 1287 ± 285 2283 ± 637 AUC0–48(mean ± SD, mcg·hr/dL) 9327 ± 4038 16,830 ± 6526 AUC0–∞(mean ± SD, mcg·hr/dL) 9499 ± 4089 17,087 ± 6776 Tmax(mean ± SD, hrs) 1.1 ± 0.23 1.1 ± 0.19 t1/2(mean ± SD, hrs) 2.0 ± 0.7 2.5 ± 1.8 Kel(mean ± SD, hr−1) 0.43 ± 0.30 0.39 ± 0.27 Cl (mean ± SD, L/hr) 0.69 ± 0.50 0.66 ± 0.52 Vd(mean ± SD, L) 1.6 ± 0.6 1.9 ± 1.1 Conclusions: Cmax values in pediatric HD population were similar to Cmax values previously reported with similar FG doses in healthy iron‐deficient adults (Ferrlecit® prescribing information). In contrast, mean AUC0−∞ values were approximately 2 times greater, and mean Cl rates were 5.4 times slower in pediatric pts.

Evaluation of the erythroid regenerative response in two different models of experimentally induced iron deficiency anemia.

Anemia was induced in weanling Sprague Dawley rats either by feeding an iron-deficient diet or by chronic phlebotomy. The erythroid regenerative response was then evaluated before and after a hemolytic event, and results were compared with those of a third group of control nonphlebotomized rats fed an iron-replete diet. Diet and phlebotomy groups developed a similar degree of anemia (mean hemoglobin concentration 7.9 g/dL and 7.8 g/dL, respectively; controls, 13.9 g/dL) and hypoferremia (mean serum iron concentration 25.4 microgram/dL and 34.9 microgram/dL, respectively; controls, 222.0 microgram/dL). However, the anemia in diet rats was nonregenerative (reticulocyte count, 83.1 X 10(3) cells/microliter) and associated with bone marrow erythroid hypoplasia; whereas the anemia in phlebotomy rats was regenerative (reticulocyte count, 169.6 X 10(3) cells/microliter) and associated with bone marrow erythroid hyperplasia. Thrombocytosis was seen in diet rats (1,580 X 10(3) cells/microliter) but not phlebotomy rats (901 X 10(3) cells/microliter) when compared with controls (809 X 10(3) cells/microliter). To further evaluate the regenerative capability, phenylhydrazine (PHZ) was administered to induce hemolysis. Erythrocyte mass declined approximately 25% in all groups, including controls. The reticulocytosis (265.3 X 10(3) cells/microliter) seen in phlebotomy rats was earlier and significantly greater than that seen in either diet or control rats. Hemoglobin concentration returned to pre-PHZ concentrations (7.9 g/dL) in phlebotomy rats within 4 days posthemolysis. In diet rats, the maximal regenerative response (176.3 X 10(3) cells/microliter) was not seen until 8 days posthemolysis, and hemoglobin (7.5 g/dL) did not return to pre-PHZ concentrations during the 8-day study. In many aspects, the anemia seen following diet- or phlebotomy-induced iron deficiency was similar. However, the erythroid regenerative capability varied depending on the mechanism by which anemia was induced and furthermore altered the efficiency of hemoglobin production following a hemolytic event. These results suggest that the availability of iron in the diet may modulate the pathogenesis of iron deficiency anemia.

Hepatitis C patients in Puerto Rico have an altered iron balance.

Iron overload is a major concern in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection because excess iron can promote hepatocyte damage by activating iron-mediated lipid peroxidation. This may also facilitate viral replication. The objective of this pilot study was to test the hypothesis that Puerto Rican HCV patients have an altered serum iron (SIR) profile. Twenty-three HCV patients and 38 non-HCV controls were compared in terms of their serum iron, iron-binding capacity, percent saturation of transferrin, available binding capacity, and ferritin. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.01, Student's t-test) were found between the HCV patients and the non-HCV controls for SIR, transferrin saturation, and ferritin. The mean SIR concentration and transferrin saturation were 25% higher in HCV patients relative to controls. HCV patients had a mean ferritin value 48% higher than controls. These pilot study data indicate that Puerto Rican HCV patients have an altered iron balance and may be more susceptible to iron-induced oxidative stress.

Hematologic and serum biochemical reference intervals for Florida panthers.

Ninety-four blood samples were collected from 48 (29 males and 19 females) free-ranging Florida panthers (Felis concolor coryi) captured in southern Florida (USA) from 1983 to 1994 for routine hematological and serum biochemical analysis. Florida panthers in the northern portion of their range had significantly higher red blood cell (mean +/- SD = 7.923 x 10(6) +/- 0.854 x 10(6)/microliter), hemoglobin (12.53 +/- 1.66 g/dl), and packed cell volume (36.97 +/- 4.27%) values compared to those of panthers localized in more southern parts of Florida (7.148 x 10(6) +/- 1.045 x 10(6)/microliter, 11.60 +/- 1.62 g/dl, and 34.82 +/- 5.99%, respectively). Adults had significantly higher mean serum total protein (7.50 +/- 0.59 g/dl) and packed cell volume (36.90 +/- 4.97%) values than juveniles (6.88 +/- 0.49 g/dl and 34.54 +/- 5.30%). However, mean serum albumin concentrations were significantly higher in juveniles (3.80 +/- 0.26 g/dl) when compared to adult values (3.58 +/- 0.26 g/dl). Mean serum calcium concentrations were significantly higher in juveniles (10.33 +/- 0.39 mg/dl) than in adults (9.66 +/- 0.45 mg/dl). Additionally, mean serum iron concentrations were significantly higher in those panthers of intergrade genetic stock compared to values in those of authentic genetic stock (105.6 +/- 72.1 micrograms/dl versus 59.3 +/- 19.7 micrograms/dl, respectively).

Clinical and biochemical abnormalities in people heterozygous for hemochromatosis.

Ten percent of whites are heterozygous for the HLA-linked hemochromatosis mutation. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 1058 genotyped heterozygotes to define the effects of age and sex on the phenotype. The heterozygous genotype was assigned to 505 male and 553 female members of 202 pedigrees, each with an HLA-typed homozygous proband. We measured serum iron, transferrin saturation, and ferritin in all heterozygotes and in 321 genetically normal subjects (unaffected family members or spouses of family members). Liver biopsies were performed in a subgroup of heterozygotes. The mean serum iron concentrations and transferrin-saturation values were higher in heterozygotes than in normal subjects and did not increase with age. Initial transferrin-saturation levels exceeding the threshold associated with the homozygous genotype were found in 4 percent of male and 8 percent of female heterozygotes. The geometric mean serum ferritin concentration was higher in heterozygotes than in normal subjects and increased with age. Higher-than-normal values were found in 20 percent of male and 8 percent of female heterozygotes. The clinical and biochemical expression of hemochromatosis was more marked in heterozygotes with paternally transmitted mutations than in those with maternally transmitted mutations. Liver-biopsy abnormalities were generally associated with alcohol abuse, hepatitis, or porphyria cutanea tarda. The phenotype of persons heterozygous for hemochromatosis differs from that of normal subjects, but complications due to iron overload alone in these heterozygotes are extremely rare.

Leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, vomiting, and positive X-rays are not indicators of severity of iron overdose in adults

To determine whether leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, vomiting, and opacities in abdominal radiographs are indicators of a serum iron concentration of >300 μg/dL in adult iron overdose patients, a retrospective medical record review was undertaken at a university medical center of all patients older than 12 years of age for whom clinical data were collected before deferoxamine therapy and within 6 hours of iron ingestion. Forty-three patients met the inclusion criteria; 37 were female. The mean and range serum iron concentrations were 382 μg/dL and 58 to 710 μg/dL, with 34 patients having values of >300 μg/dL. There were no statistically significant relationships between iron concentration of >300 μg/dL and leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, vomiting, and opacities in abdominal radiographs ( P > .05). Sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values indicate poor performance of these parameters as clinical predictors of serum iron concentration of >300 μg/dL. Leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, vomiting, or the presence of opacities in abdominal X-rays are not indicators of a serum iron concentration of >300 μg/dL in adults. These parameters should not be used to assess the severity of iron overdose or to guide its management.

New enzymatic assay of iron in serum

A new enzymatic method for assaying iron in serum samples, suitable for automated analyzers, is reported. Three reagent mixtures are used: dilution buffer (pH 3.0; ascorbate), reagent 1 (pH 6.7; apoaconitase), and reagent 2 (pH 7.7; citrate, magnesium, and isocitrate dehydrogenase). Sera are diluted with dilution buffer. Fe3+ is liberated from transferrin in sera under acidic conditions, and then reduced by ascorbate. Reagent 1 is added to diluted specimens, and apoaconitase is reactivated by Fe2+ at neutral pH. The resulting solutions are mixed with reagent 2, so that holoaconitase hydrolyzes citrate to isocitrate and the isocitrate and NADP+ are converted to 2-oxoglutarate, NADPH, and CO2. Serum iron is determined linearly up to 70 mumol/L, with within-run CVs < or = 2.4% and day-to-day CVs < or = 2.9%. This method (y) gives results correlating with those of a Reference Method (x) proposed by the International Committee for Standardization in Haematology: y = 0.98x + 0.38 mumol/L (n = 72, r = 0.996, Sylx = 0.63 mumol/L). The mean (+/- SD) serum iron concentrations measured by our method were 18.5 +/- 5.4 and 15.2 +/- 6.0 mumol/L for 63 males and 166 females, respectively.

Microcytosis, hypoferremia, hypoferritemia, and hypertransferrinemia in Standardbred foals from birth to 4 months of age

SUMMARY At birth, 24 Standardbred foals were assigned at random to 1 of 2 groups and were given a placebo supplement (group 1) or an iron supplement (248 mg of iron/treatment; group 2). Foals were given iron supplement or placebo 4 times during the second and third weeks after birth. Hematologic variables and general health were monitored until foals were 4 months old. Mean pcv in foals of both groups decreased during the first 2 weeks after birth, but values remained within adult horse reference ranges. During the first 6 weeks after birth, foal erythrocytes were smaller than adult horse erythrocytes, but foal erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was greater than that in adult horses. At every measurement, indices of anisocytosis were lower in foals, compared with adult horse reference values, suggesting that foals have a homogeneous population of microcytic erythrocytes during early foalhood. In 2-week-old foals of both groups and in 4-week-old placebo-treated foals, mean serum iron concentration was lower than that in adult horses. In foals at birth and during the first 4 months, total iron-binding capacity values were above the adult reference range. In newborn foals, transferrin saturation percentage values were above the adult reference range; however, values decreased to below the reference range in foals from 2 weeks to 4 months after birth. When foals were born, serum ferritin concentration values were above the adult horse reference range, but decreased to within the reference range by the time foals were 1 day old. From 2 through 6 weeks after birth, foal ferritin concentration values were below the adult reference range. There were no significant differences between treatment groups in any variable measured. All foals remained healthy and grew as expected on the basis of comparison with the previous year's foal crop. The development of low serum ferritin and iron concentrations, high serum total iron-binding capacity, low transferrin saturation percentage, and microcytosis in conjunction with decreasing pcv during the first 2 weeks after birth might be explained by foal depletion of iron stores. However, beneficial effects on hematologic variables were not observed in response to oral administration of 4 doses (248 mg each) of iron during the second and third weeks after birth. Apparently, most foals have sufficient body iron stores at birth and sufficient iron intake to support demands for iron during early foalhood.

The relationship between decreased iron stores, serum iron and neonatal hypoglycemia in large-for-date newborn infants.

We assessed the relationship between neonatal hypoglycemia and newborn iron status in 15 hypoglycemic, large-for-date newborn infants, 12 of whom were infants of diabetic mothers. These infants had significantly lower mean serum iron concentrations, ferritin concentrations, percent iron-binding saturation and calculated iron stores, and significantly higher mean transferrin concentrations, total iron-binding capacity concentrations and mid-arm circumference:head circumference ratios when compared with either 15 euglycemic large-for-date or 15 euglycemic appropriate-for-date control infants (p less than 0.001 for all comparisons). All hypoglycemic infants had ferritin concentrations below the 5th percentile as compared to 3% of controls (p less than 0.001), and 67% had transferrin concentrations above the 95th percentile (controls: 0%; p less than 0.001). Only the hypoglycemic infants demonstrated a significant negative linear correlation between ferritin and transferrin concentrations (r = -0.83; p less than 0.001). Decreased serum iron concentrations were associated with size at birth (r = -0.60; p = 0.01) and with increased red cell iron (r = -0.60; p = 0.01), implying a redistribution of iron dependent on the degree of fetal hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Infants with increased red cell iron had more profound neonatal hypoglycemia. These results show a significant association between decreased iron stores and neonatal hypoglycemia in macrosomic newborn infants associated with a significant shift of iron into red blood cells.

Elevated serum iron levels following administration of cisplatinum.

An increase in serum iron levels and a decrease in serum unsaturated iron binding capacity (uIBC) were noted following the administration of cisplatinum to 9 children with malignancies. The mean serum iron concentration increased from a pretreatment level of 75.7 +/- 30.5 micrograms/ml to a posttreatment level of 162.1 +/- 65.3 micrograms/ml with the first cisplatinum treatment course (p less than 0.004). The uIBC concomitantly decreased from 181.9 +/- 33.7 micrograms/ml to 86.4 +/- 44.6 micrograms/ml (p less than 0.0005). A cumulative effect was noted following subsequent courses. The levels returned to baseline values within 2-4 months following cessation of therapy in 6 children in whom follow-up data were available. It is possible that this reversal of the iron/uIBC ratio is the result of cisplatinum competition for iron binding sites to proteins.

ELEVATED SERUM IRON LEVELS FOLLOWING ADMINISTRATION OF CISPLATINUM

An increase in serum iron levels and a decrease in serum unsaturated iron binding capacity (uIBC) were noted following the administration of cisplatinum to 9 children with malignancies. The mean serum iron concentration increased from a pretreatment level of 75.7±30.5 ug/ml to a post treatment level of 162.1±65.3 ug/ml with the first cisplatinum treatment course(p<0.004). The uIBC concomittantly decreased from 181.9±33.7 ug/ml to 86.4 ± 44.6 ug/ml(p<0.0005). Cummulative effect was noted following subsequent courses. The levels returned to baseline values within 2-4 months following cessation of therapy in 6 children in whom follow up data was available. It is possible that this reversal of the iron/uIBC ratio is the result of cisplatinum competition for iron binding sites to proteins.

Hepatic Iron Uptake in Alcoholic Liver Disease

The mechanisms responsible for the increase of iron found in the liver of some alcoholic patients remain unclear. Serum iron concentration, total iron binding capacity, percentage transferrin saturation, liver iron concentration, hepatic uptake of transferrin-bound 52Fe, and plasma clearance half-time of 52Fe were measured in 6 patients with alcoholic fatty liver, 6 with alcoholic cirrhosis, and 4 with primary biliary cirrhosis. Seven patients with polycythemia rubra vera served as a control group. Mean serum iron concentrations were significantly higher in the patients with alcohol-related liver disease than in the other two groups. Mean liver iron concentration was increased in the alcoholics with fatty liver, in the high normal range in the alcoholic cirrhotics, and in the low normal range in the patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. There was little or no uptake of transferrin-bound 52Fe in the control group (mean 1.4%:± 0.6% SEM). Significant uptakes were seen in all three patient groups compared with controls (p

The influence of feeding regimens on iron status during infancy

Iron Status as influenced by feeding regimen of 96 apparently healthy, full-term infantSwas assessed. Infants consuming human milk as a sole milk source for at least 3 months (group I), an iron-fortified formula (14 mg Fe/qt) for 4 months (group II), an iron-fortified formula for 12 months (group III), and the same formula with 1.4 mg Fe/qt for 4 months were studied during the 1st year of life (group IV). At ages 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, 3-day dietary assessments were performed. Hematological determinations were made on blood samples collected at ages 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Throughout the study, mean hemoglobin and hematocrit levels did not differ significantly among groups. At 6 months, groups I and III had significantly higher mean serum iron concentrations than group IV and higher mean percentage saturation of transferrin than groups II and IV. These differences in serum iron and transferrin saturation were not apparent at 9 and 12 months. Reported dietary iron intakes did not correlate with hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, and percentage saturation of transferrin measurements at any time interval during the study. These data show that infants receiving an iron-fortified formula (14 mg/qt) for 4 months only (group II) fare no differently in terms of iron status than those receiving the same formula containing 1.4 mg Fe/qt for the same period of time (group IV). These data also show that at 6 months infants still fed an iron-fortified formula (group III) or those fed human milk for at least 3 months (group I) had superior biochemical indicators of iron sufficiency as indicated by elevated serum iron and percentage saturation of transferrin. Am. J. Clin. Nut,'. 33: 746-753, 1980.

Haematological status of middle- and long-distance runners.

1. Haematological investigation and blood volume measurements were carried out on forty male middle and long distance runners and twelve non-athletes. 2. The distribution of haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, erythrocyte count, total ironbinding capacity, serum and erythrocyte folate and serum vitamin B12 concentrations were essentially the same in atheletes and non-athletes. The mean serum iron concentration was higher in non-athletes than in athletes. There was no difference in the above measurements between athletes taking iron and/or folate and athletes not taking these supplements. 3. Blood volume and total body haemoglogin were on average 20% higher in the atheletes than in the non-athletes. 4. There was no correlation between haemoglobin concentration and blood volume in athletes. The evidence of this study suggests that haemoglobin concentration and blood volume are independently controlled. 5. 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate concentration in the erythrocytes was higher in the athletes than in the non-athletes; the mean values were 15-9 and 14-2 mumol/g of haemoglobin respectively.