Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Quantifiable and Inexpensive Cell-Free Fluorescent Method to Confirm the Ability of Novel Compounds to Chelate Iron
Published on: February 23, 2024
The role of labile iron in kidney disease and treatment with chelation
Sudhir V Shah1, Mohan M Rajapurkar
1Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. shahsudhirv@uams.edu
Insights
Labile iron increases in kidney disease models, and iron chelators offer protection. This suggests iron chelation could be a new strategy for preventing and treating acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Biochemistry
- Experimental Medicine
Background:
- Kidney disease encompasses acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Experimental evidence indicates elevated labile iron levels in various kidney disease models.
- Iron chelators demonstrate protective effects, highlighting the role of labile iron.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of iron chelators as a therapeutic strategy for kidney diseases.
- To investigate the role of labile iron in the pathogenesis of AKI and CKD.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental evidence regarding labile iron in kidney disease models.
- Analysis of studies investigating the effects of iron chelators in kidney disease.
Main Results:
- Consistent increase in labile iron observed across diverse kidney disease models.
- Iron chelator administration showed protective effects in these models.
- These findings implicate labile iron as a significant factor in kidney disease progression.
Conclusions:
- Labile iron plays a crucial role in the development and progression of kidney disease.
- Iron chelators represent a promising therapeutic avenue for the prevention and treatment of AKI and CKD.
Abstract:
There are two major forms of kidney disease: acute renal failure [also referred to as acute kidney injury (AKI)] and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Acute renal failure is an abrupt loss of kidney function within 48 h, whereas CKD is a loss of kidney function greater than 3 months. There is a large amount of experimental evidence for an increase of labile iron in a wide variety of models of kidney disease. Additionally, iron chelators provide protection, indicating an important role of labile iron in these diseases. These observations suggest that iron chelators may provide a new modality of prevention and treatment of kidney disease.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
Extraction: Advanced Methods
Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care
Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction
Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect
