[From iron accumulation to organ damage]
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Assessing Iron Deposition in the Brains of 5xFAD Mice by Perls'/DAB Staining
Published on: May 23, 2025
1Istituto di Medicina Interna, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia. vincenzozaccone@libero.it
Abstract:
Iron is an important metal in the complex biochemistry in human beings. However there are primary or secondary diseases that lead to an accumulation of iron in parenchymal organs and induce progressive and serious systemic harm. This review aims to define the fundamental steps of cell biology and physiology of iron and the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for its accumulation in the parenchyma. In addition, we analyze the main primitive (hemochromatosis) and secondary (inflammation, liver diseases and hematological) diseases, responsible for the damage caused by iron, and we analyze the clinical consequences of iron overload. Furthermore, we pass under review a particular classification of general mechanisms and kinetics of iron overload responsible for its clinical phenotypes, dividing them into systemic, cellular and subcellular overload mechanisms. Finally we describe the main pathologic stages resulting from iron overload, with particular reference to liver damage and progression to hepatocellular carcinoma.
More Related Videos
04:48Setup of Capillary Electrophoresis-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (CE-ICP-MS) for Quantification of Iron Redox Species (Fe(II), Fe(III))
Published on: May 4, 2020
05:08Measurement of Tissue Non-Heme Iron Content using a Bathophenanthroline-Based Colorimetric Assay
Published on: January 31, 2022
Related Concept Videos
The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
Periodic Table Provides Information...
Necrosis
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Corrosion
Toxic Reactions: Overview
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Lifecycle of Erythrocytes
The resident phagocytic macrophages deal with these damaged cells by engulfing them and separating their globin and heme groups.