Iron distribution in the liver and duodenum during seasonal iron overload in Svalbard reindeer

Seasonal iron overload in Svalbard reindeer was studied by light and electron microscopy and by X-ray microanalysis. The hepatic iron overload was of two types. The first type was characterized by massive siderosis of both parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells caused by a diet very rich in iron but low in energy and protein. Hepatocytes contained a moderate amount of free ferritin particles in the cytosol together with numerous siderosomes. This pattern is similar to that seen in primary haemochromatosis and thalassaemia. Kupffer cells contained large quantities of cytosolic ferritin, siderosomes and lysosomes with disintegrating red blood cells as seen in thalassaemia. The second type was characterized by massive non-parenchymal siderosis caused by an energy- and protein-poor diet with normal iron concentration. Hepatocytes contained little cytosolic ferritin and few siderosomes, but there were abundant electron-dense bodies without iron (i.e., autophagosomes). Kupffer cells were as described above. Ferritin was also present within the duodenal mucosa of these animals, located within enterocytes and lamina propria macrophages, as well as in the extracellular space and capillary and lacteal lumina. Ferritin was also present in the acinar cells of submucosal Brunner's glands. Changes consistent with exchange of ferritin particles between different cell types were observed. The role of ferritin as a possible iron transporter in this condition is discussed.