Iron59 absorption measurements by whole-body counting: Studies in alcoholic cirrhosis, hemochromatosis, and pancreatitis

Increased duodenal expression of divalent metal transporter 1 and iron-regulated gene 1 in cirrhosis

“…Within the cirrhosis group, subjects with hepatocellular cirrhosis had more severe liver disease than subjects with cholestasis-induced cirrhosis. This finding was reflected in a higher Child-Pugh score (9 [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] vs. 5 [5][6][7][8][9], P ϭ .004), a higher MELD score (15.3 Ϯ 6.3 vs. 10.0 Ϯ 3.9, P ϭ .02), increased prothrombin time (15.3 Ϯ 4.2 vs. 11.6 Ϯ 2.2, P ϭ .006), and a lower serum albumin level (28.7 Ϯ 6.4 vs. 35.5 Ϯ 5.0, P ϭ .003).…”

“…All 16 subjects with positive hepatic iron staining had underlying hepatocellular causes of cirrhosis and 15 (94%) were men. Subjects with positive iron staining had higher Child-Pugh scores (10 [5-13] vs. 6 [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14], respectively, P ϭ .003) compared with subjects with negative iron staining. Seven (44%) patients had acanthocytes.…”

“…[33][34][35][36] In cirrhosis, the combination of reduced red blood cell survival and decreased incorporation of absorbed iron into circulating erythrocytes, together with an increase in the expression of the iron transport genes, may result in the hepatic iron deposition frequently observed in cirrhosis. 5,7,9,30 A recently described hepatic antimicrobial peptide known as hepcidin could explain the finding of increased intestinal iron transport gene expression in cirrhosis. 37,38 Hepcidin is predominantly expressed in the liver and it is proposed to be a negative regulator of intestinal iron absorption 38,39 and a mediator of the anemia of chronic disease.…”

Functional Study of Exocrine Pancreas in Idiopathic Hemochromatosis, Untreated and Treated by Venesections

“…Certain authors [5,10,27] observe in external pancreatic insufficiency, and eventually in cirrhosis and hemochromatosis, an increased iron absorp tion which is reduced by the administration of pancreatic extracts. Others [2,21] found no significant modification and questioned the physiological role of the pancreas in this field.…”

Clinical Evaluation of Iron Metabolism in Pancreatic Disease

“…The inhibited uptake of iron from an isolated perfused loop of rat jejunum by the addition of pancreatic extract was demonstrated by Davis and Biggs (1965). Deller (1965) stated that increased iron absorption was frequently present in alcoholic cirrhosis, hemochromatosis and pancreatitis, and that the addi Murray and Stein (1966) asked themselves five questions in their paper written under the title of "Does the pancreas influence iron absorption ? ", and criticized firstly the method for the accurate determination of iron absorption.…”