[Iron and ferritin changes in multiple organs failure after trauma].

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pathophysiology
• Trauma Research

Context:

• Trauma induces significant physiological stress.
• Understanding metabolic and cellular responses to trauma is crucial for predicting outcomes.
• Multiple organ failure (MOF) remains a critical complication of severe injury.

Purpose:

• To investigate dynamic changes in serum iron, liver iron, serum ferritin, and circulating myeloperoxidase (MPO)-positive granulocytes following varying degrees of trauma in a rabbit model.
• To explore the correlation between these biochemical and cellular alterations and the development of MOF.

Summary:

• Following trauma, serum iron initially decreased sharply, with levels normalizing in mild trauma but remaining low in severe trauma and non-survivors.
• Liver iron increased significantly in rabbits that died from severe trauma.
• Serum ferritin showed transient increases in severe trauma and non-survivors, while MPO-positive granulocytes initially rose then declined, with persistently low levels in severe trauma and non-survivors.

Impact:

• The study identifies specific alterations in iron metabolism and MPO activity as potential biomarkers for trauma severity.
• Uncompensated changes in these indicators are suggested as key mechanisms contributing to MOF and mortality.
• Findings provide insights into the pathophysiology of trauma-induced organ dysfunction.