[Research progress of iron metabolism in critical ill patients]

Iron is an essential nutrient element for human, but has potential toxicity. Under physiological conditions, the processes of iron absorption, transportation, cellular uptake and utilization, storage, release, excretion as well as regulation of iron metabolism maintain the iron homeostasis. However under pathological conditions, the iron metabolism changes and is associated with the pathological states. In order to realize the relationship between the critical illness status and the iron metabolism, we start with an analysis of the basic processes of iron metabolism in human and the toxicity of iron, followed by summary on the alteration of iron metabolism in the settings of pathological conditions, such as inflammation, infection and anemia, which often occur in critical illness. Then, we discuss the relationship between the prognosis and the parameters of iron metabolism. Moreover, we review the current researches on treatments related to iron metabolism, which involve the iron supplementation, iron chelation and agents regulating iron metabolism.