Cytosiderosis and the Genesis of Arteriosclerosis and other Fibrous-Tissue Reactions

The Influence of Diet on Iron Absorption

“…Taylor (9, 10) described excessive absorption of iron with the deposition of large quantities of hemosiderin in the livers in cats following ligation of the pancreatic ducts. This observation has recently been confirmed by Gillman in cats (11), and in dogs by the present authors (12).…”

Effect of Alcohol on Iron Absorption

“…Pancreatitis is common in alcoholics, and there is now good evidence that deficiency of the exocrine secretions of the pancreas is associated with excessive absorption of iron. This has been shown in animals after pancreatectomy (Taylor et al, 1931), ligation of the pancreatic duct (Taylor et al, 1935 ;Gillman et al, 1947;Kinney et al, 1950), and ethionine-induced pancreatic damage (Kinney et al, 1955), and in patients with chronic pancreatitis enhancement of the absorption of haemoglobin iron in the presence of alcohol, the mean figures in eight subjects being 14.9% in water and 13.4% in alcohol. In contrast, alcohol caused a marked increase in the absorption of iron given as ferric chloride.…”

Absorption of Iron in Cirrhosis of Liver

“…None had any evidence of pancreatic calcification. (Taylor et al, 1935;Gillman et al, 1947;Kinney et al, 1950Kinney et al, , 1955 (Pitcher, 1962). In alcoholic subjects the intake of iron is increased owing to the iron content of alcoholic beverages.…”