IRON IN HEALTH AND DISEASE

Surah 57. Al-Hadid (The Iron) Aya: 25

Surah 57. Al-Hadid (The Iron) Aya: 25

We have indeed sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain (their affairs) in justice. And we sent down iron, where in is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is powerful and Exalted in Might.

Learning Objectives Distribution Daily Requirements Dietary sources Important functions Absorption & Metabolism Deficiency diseases

Introduction It is an established fact now that : Deficiency or over exposure to various elements constitute a threat to human health. Iron can form free radicals, its concentration in body tissues must be tightly regulated . In excessive amounts, it can lead to tissue damage.

Disorders of iron metabolism are among the most common diseases of humans and encompass a broad spectrum of diseases with diverse clinical manifestations. Ranging from anemia to iron overload, and possibly to neurodegenerative diseases.

Factors and actors Element’s effect is determined by many factors, including availability in diet, absorption, metabolism, and its interaction with other processes.

Iron is an essential trace element for almost all living organisms. It participates in a wide variety of metabolic processes, including O2 and CO2 transport, DNA synthesis, and electron transport.

IRON Called by Egyptians as “Heavenly metal”. Used as medicine around 1500 B.C. for the treatment of parasitic infection and a variety of other ailments. Quran describes it as a means of power. One of the most plentiful elements on earth. 5% of earth crust, still its deficiency a common health problem

IRON 18th Century: presence was demonstrated in animal tissues and blood. 20th Century: Much learnt about iron & its interaction with other elements.

At. No. 26 IRON At. Mass 56

IRON ( Al-Hadeed) At. No. 26 & At.W. 56 Aya No. 25 & Sura No. 57

DISTRIBUTION 4 grams of Fe ,on an average in human body 3 grams in active or functional form and 1 gram in storage or transport form.

Distribution of Iron in human body Hemoglobin 66% Myoglobin 03% Other body cells 05% Enzymes 01% Ferritin (store) 25%

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) Infants 0 – 0.5 = 10 mg 0.5 – 1.0 = 15 mg Children 1 – 3 = 15 mg 4 – 6 = 10 mg 7 – 10 = 10 mg

Iron RDA Age Male Female 11 – 14 18 mg 15 – 18 19 – 22 10 mg 23 – 50 51 +

Major Dietary sources Red meat, Liver and Eggs Green Vegetables and , Cereals Apple, Nuts, Peaches and Dry fruits Iron from cooking utensils, made of iron

FUNCTIONS Essential elements in the daily diet. Vital role in O2 transport and energy production. Exclusively involved in the uptake and release of O2 at cellular level.

FUNCTIONS Shuttles O2 from lungs to all other tissues and CO2 back from tissues to lungs. Ability of Hb molecule to take up O2 and release CO2, is dependent on presence of Fe in Hb. Without Fe, the Hb. molecule cannot perform this function. The cytochrome enzyme system functions in energy production.

FUNCTIONS Active part is mostly in Porphyrin and forms an integral part of Hb and Myoglobin, In RBCs enzymes cytochrome, oxidase, catalase and peroxidases .

FUNCTIONS Myoglobin works on similar principle but performs in muscles only.

Absorption and Metabolism

METABOLISM Fe++ is absorbed from intestinal lumen into the cells of intestinal mucosa. Here Fe++ is oxidized to Fe+++ Combines with proteins Apoferritin. Iron – protein complex, Ferritin and stored.

EXCRETION Iron is unique among mineral elements. There is no physiologic mechanism for regulating its increase or decrease excretion. Balance is mainly controlled at the site of intestinal absorption.

Iron Absorption Absorption is influenced by the amount present in the diet / food that increase or decrease the availability of iron for absorption. Primary regulator of iron homeostasis 1-50% of iron is absorbed. If body needs more iron, it increases amount of “transferrin” an iron carrying protein. Iron can also be stored in another protein called “ferritin”

Iron Absorption

Enterocyte Gut ABSORPTION OF IRON Fe+++ Ferritin Fe++ Tf-Fe+++ Fe++ Haem Tf

BODY IRON CYCLING