[Iron overload and chronic liver diseases]

Several liver diseases can be associated with liver iron overload: alcohol liver disease, non alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic viral hepatitis and porphyria cutanea tarda. These diseases are frequently associated with abnormal iron tests but iron overload is infrequent. Hyperferritinemia in these patients can be explained by cellular necrosis, synthesis increase, inflammation and iron overload. Research of C282Y mutation should be performed in patients who stopped alcohol for at least 1 or 2 weeks and transferrin saturation > 45%. Several studies are conducted to explore the mechanisms of iron overload and the role of iron in hepatic fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis. These studies will help to better define the role of venesection and iron chelators in patients with chronic liver diseases.