Toxicity associated with iron overload found in hemochromatosis: possible mechanism in a rat model

Hemochromatosis is characterized by pathologic iron overload which often leads to various pathological conditions. The mechanism by which excess iron induces these conditions is not clearly understood. Using rats as the model, this investigation was conducted to explore the mechanism of toxicity associated with iron overload. Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed a 3% carbonyl iron-supplemented diet for eight weeks to achieve iron accumulation. Liver iron reached approximately 2 mg/g which is more than 16 times the control values (mean +/- SD, 0.12 +/- 0.02 mg/g, p < 0.001). Serum iron was consistently higher in the experimental rats (mg/L): 3.41 +/- 0.58 versus 1.89 +/- 0.18, p < 0.001. The high levels of iron accompanied enhanced oxidative damage in the hepatic nuclear DNA when 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was measured as a product of DNA oxidation. The levels of 8-OHdG in the experimental samples were significantly higher than the controls (8-OHdG X 10(-5)/dG): 4.22 +/- 1.82 versus 1.84 +/- 0.33, p < 0.05. The results of serum enzyme assays suggest that iron overload caused mild hepatocellular damage: alanine transaminase significantly increased; lactate dehydrogenase did not change; alkaline phosphatase decreased. Since the accumulation of 8-OHdG in the nuclear DNA is highly deleterious to cells, these data suggest oxidative damage in the nuclear DNA may be a critical factor in inducing diseases associated with iron overload.