Where is iron stored in the body
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Iron Storage in the Human Body
Key Sites of Iron Storage: Liver, Spleen, and Bone Marrow
Iron is a vital element for numerous biological processes, including oxygen transport and DNA synthesis. The human body stores iron primarily in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. The liver is the major storage site, where iron is stored in the form of ferritin and hemosiderin1 2 4 6. Ferritin is a soluble protein complex that stores iron in a readily available form, while hemosiderin is an insoluble aggregate that stores excess iron3 6.
Mechanisms of Iron Storage and Regulation
Iron is absorbed from the diet in the duodenum and transported into the bloodstream by the protein ferroportin. It is then bound to transferrin, a plasma protein that delivers iron to various tissues2 5 7. The liver plays a crucial role in regulating iron levels by producing hepcidin, a hormone that controls the release of iron from cells by inducing the degradation of ferroportin2 5 7. When iron levels are high, hepcidin levels increase, reducing iron absorption and release from storage sites2 5.
Iron Recycling and Redistribution
Iron from senescent red blood cells is recycled by macrophages in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. This recycled iron is then used for new hemoglobin synthesis or stored in ferritin within these tissues2 7. The spleen, in particular, is involved in breaking down old red blood cells and temporarily storing the released iron7.
Pathological Conditions and Iron Overload
In conditions of iron overload, such as hemochromatosis, the liver becomes progressively loaded with iron. When the liver's storage capacity is exceeded, iron begins to accumulate in other tissues, leading to potential toxicity and fibrosis1 4 6. This excess iron can cause damage to organs, particularly the liver, heart, and pancreas, due to its ability to catalyze the formation of free radicals1 4 9.
Conclusion
Iron storage in the human body is a finely tuned process involving multiple organs, primarily the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. The liver not only stores iron but also regulates its distribution and absorption through the production of hepcidin. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for managing conditions related to iron deficiency and overload.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
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Literature Review
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