Iron homoeostasis in rheumatic disease

More research on the gout and iron problem.

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Gout research from Rheumatology (Oxford). 2009 Jul 23.
[Epub ahead of print]
Iron homoeostasis in rheumatic disease.

Baker JF, Ghio AJ.

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA and Human Studies Division, US EPA, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

Iron is critical in nearly all cell functions and the ability of a cell, tissue and organism to procure this metal is obligatory for survival. Iron is necessary for normal immune function, and relative iron deficiency is associated with mild immunosuppression. Concentrations of this metal in excess of those required for function can present both an oxidative stress and elevate risks for infection. As a result, the human has evolved to have a complex mechanism of regulating iron and limiting its availability. This homoeostasis can be disrupted. Autoimmune diseases and gout often present with abnormal iron homoeostasis, thus supporting a participation of the metal in these injuries. We review the role of iron in normal immune function and discuss both clinical evidence of altered iron homoeostasis in autoimmune diseases and gout as well as possible implications of both depletion and supplementation of this metal in this patient population. We conclude that altered iron homoeostasis may represent a purposeful response to inflammation that could have theoretical anti-inflammatory benefits. We encourage physicians to avoid routine iron supplementation in those without depleted iron stores.

PMID: 19628641 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Dictionary / research notes:
iron homeostasis – The ability or tendency of people to balance iron available to cells by storing and releasing it from reserves.