This is a short and sweet presentation about iron, one of the microminerals. This has enough knowledge about Iron, it's importance, functions, lab findings, and disease states. So learn about iron with this slide.

2. Minerals are elements or components which
are present in food and are required by the
body for developing and functioning properly.
Minerals are classified as macroelements and
microelements.
• Macroelements: Calcium, Phosphorus,
Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride,
Sulphur
•Microelements: Iron, Copper, Iodine,
Manganese, Zinc, Cobalt, Selenium, Fluorine

3.  Distribution of Iron
 The total content of iron in an
adult body is 3-5g. Blood accounts
for 75% of the iron in the body,
with the remaining located in the
liver, bone marrow, and muscles.
Iron is found in almost all cells.
Iron is one of the microelements.

4.  Adult man – 10-20 mg/day
 Menstruating woman – 18 mg/day
 Pregnant and lactating woman – 40
mg/day

5. SOURCES
 Rich sources – Liver, heart, kidney
 Good sources – Leafy vegetables,
pulses, cereals, fish, apples, dried
fruits, molasses, jaggery
 Poor sources – Milk, wheat, polished
rice.

6. Heme -containing proteins
 Haemoglobin
 Myoglobin
 Cytochrome oxidase
 Cytochrome
 Cytochrome c1
 Cytochrome c
 Cytochrome b5
 Cytochrome p-450
 Catalase

7. Nonheme Iron-containing Proteins
 Aconitase
 Phe-hydroxylase
 Transferrin
 Plasma Ferritin
 Tissues Hemosiderin

8. ABSORPTION,
TRANSPORT
AND STORAGE
IRON IS MAINLY ABSORBED IN
THE STOMACH AND DUODENUM
AND UPPER JEJUNUM.
THE FERROUS FORM OF IRON IS
SOLUBLE AND READILY
ABSORBED.

9.  Reduced form of Iron
 Acidity, Ascorbic Acid, Cysteine promote Iron
absorption.
 In Iron deficiency anaemia, Fe absorption is
increased than normal.
 Phylate (found in cereals) and oxalate (found
in leafy vegetables) interfere by reducing Fe
absorption.
 Diet with high phosphate content decreases
Fe absorption while low phosphate promotes.
 Impaired absorption of Iron is observed in
malabsorption syndromes such as
steatorrhea.

10. • When iron stores in the body are less, its absorption is
increased whereas when iron stores are adequate,
absorption is decreased. This unique phenomenon is
referred to as mucosal block theory.
• The iron entering the mucosal cells by absorption is oxidized
to ferric form by the enzyme ferroxidase. It
combines with apoferritin to form ferritin which is the
temporary storage form of iron. Iron may enter into the
blood stream or lost when the cells are desquamated.

11. TRANSPORT
OF FE IN
THE PLASMA
 The iron liberated from the ferritin of
mucosal cell enters the plasma in
ferrous state. It is oxidised into ferric
form by a copper containing protein,
ceruloplasmin which possess
ferroxidase activity. Ferric iron then
binds with transferrin. It transports
iron through the blood to various
tissues such as the liver, spleen, and
bone marrow.

12.  Iron is stored in liver, spleen and
bone marrow in the form of
ferritin. Ferritin is the temporary
storage form of iron in the
mucosal cells.
 A molecule of
apoferritin can combine with
4,000 atoms of iron.
 Hemosiderin is another
iron storage protein which can
hold up to 35% iron by weight.
Hemosiderin accumulates in
spleen, liver when iron supply is
in excess in the body.

13.  Iron is very efficiently utilized and reutilized in
the body. Iron is not excreted in the urine. It is
regarded as a one way substance. Iron losses are
minimal which occur through sweat, hair loss,
bile, etc.
 The periodical loss of blood in
menstruating women increases iron
requirement. Increased iron demands are also
observed in pregnancy, lactation and in growing
children.
 Stool- 0.7 mg/day
 Menstruation- 20-30 mg/day
 Delivery- 750 mg.

14.  Iron is mainly present in haemoglobin
and myoglobin. Haemoglobin and
myoglobin are required for the
transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
 Iron supports healthy skin, hair and
nails.
 Cytochrome and certain non- heme
containing proteins are necessary for
electron transport chain and oxidative
phosphorylation.
• Iron boosts the immune system.

15.  Malnutrition
 Decreased absorption of iron
 Increased loss of iron
 Increased Iron requirement

16.  Pica, Nails biting, Mental retardation,
Pallor, Dyspnoea [difficulty in swallowing],
Palpitation, Dizziness, Fatigue.

17.  Iron deficiency Anemia
 It is the most common nutritional
deficiency disease. Factors contributing to
this include inadequate intake or defective
absorption of iron, chronic blood
loss, repeated pregnancies and hookworm
infections.
 Strict vegetarians are more prone
because of presence of inhibitors of
iron absorption in the food.
Iron deficiency mostly occurs in growing
children, adolescent girls, pregnant
and lactating women. It is characterized by
microcytic
hypochromic anaemia with reduced Hb
levels.

18. Hemosiderosis
 This is a less common disorder and is due to excess amount of iron in the body,
also referred to as Iron toxicity. It is commonly observed in people receiving
repeated blood transfusions over the years, e.g. Patients of haemolytic anaemia,
haemophilia. Iron once entered cannot escape the body hence is deposited as
ferritin and hemosiderin. It is without tissue injury.
 Hemosiderosis is commonly observed among the Bantu tribes in South
Africa.

19.  Hemochromatosis:
 This is a rare disease in
which iron is directly deposited
in the tissues( liver, spleen,
pancreas and skin). It causes a
condition known as bronze
diabetes. It is associated with
tissue injury.
 Manifestations: Bronzed
pigmentation of the skin, liver
cirrhosis, pancreatic fibrosis

20.  Haematological : Decreased Hb level, Microcytic
hypochromic anaemia
 Biochemical : Decreased serum iron
Increased serum total iron binding
capacity
Decreased plasma ferritin.

21.  Oral supplements must be given,
 Treating hookworm,
 Intravenous injection given, if necessary

22.  Biochemistry book by U. Satyanrayana and U. Chakrapani
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