Volumen: 14 # Number : 2
Publication Date : Mayo - Agosto Year: 2010
Authors: García Rosolen N, Eandi Eberle S, Feliú Torres A, y Musso AM
Abstract: Our knowledge about iron physiology has evolved considerably in the last ten years. From a relatively simple model, in which absorption was related to transferrin receptor and storage based on ferritin, new evidence has shown that much more complex and highly regulated mechanisms are involved. According to recent research, specialized cell types and multiple genetically programmed proteins are required for normal iron metabolism. Although every single cell in human body needs iron in one way or another, four cell types have a significant role in iron metabolism. These cells are the mucosal enterocytes, the macrophages, the hepatocytes and the erythroblasts. The identification of proteins such as HFE, TfR2, hemojuvelin, hepcidin, ferroportin, hefaestin, matriptase-2, etc, are direct findings of research done in the last few years. Some of them have a role acting as transporters, some others as oxidases or reductases, and all of them participating in the fine regulation of iron metabolism. A better understanding of iron physiology allows for a deeper insight in iron deficiency and overload pathology, and also its diagnosis and treatment.
Key words: Iron, Physiology, Anemia, Hemochromatosis
Pages : 48-57
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