European journal of clinical investigation
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Only 10% of dietary iron is absorbed in the duodenum which implies that 90% (approximately 9 mg day(-1)) reaches the lower small intestine and colon. Therefore the purpose of this study was to assess the iron transport capacity of the rat proximal colon and to determine whether iron absorption is regulated by changes in dietary iron content. ⋯ The proximal colon can absorb non-haem iron from the intestinal lumen. The purpose of this mechanism remains to be elucidated.
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Anaemia is a frequent complication among long-term renal transplant recipients. A prevalence of approximately 40% has been reported in several studies. If renal function declines to stage 5 kidney disease, the prevalence of anaemia in kidney transplants is even higher. ⋯ While anaemia is an important cardiovascular risk-factor after transplantation, our data suggest that anaemia is not associated with mortality and graft loss. Nevertheless, inadequate attention is paid so far to the management of anaemia after renal transplantation. A promising future aspect for risk reduction of cardiovascular disease includes the effect of erythropoietic agents on endothelial progenitor cells.
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Iron is used widely for the treatment of anaemias with iron-restricted erythropoiesis. This intervention can be both beneficial and detrimental depending on the type of the underlying process. ⋯ In addition, iron catalyses the formation of toxic radicals leading to tissue damage or the promotion of cardiovascular events. Thus, it is essential to correctly diagnose the precise cause of anaemia and to consider the benefits and hazards of targeted iron therapy.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2005
Recombinant human erythropoietin: effects on frataxin expression in vitro.
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by decreased expression of the protein frataxin, recently described to be an iron chaperone for the assembly of iron-sulphur clusters in the mitochondria, causing iron accumulation in mitochondria, oxidative stress and cell damage. Searching for compounds that could possibly influence frataxin expression, we found that the cytokine recombinant human erythropoietin (rhuEPO) significantly increases frataxin expression by a still unknown mechanism. ⋯ Our results provide a scientific basis for further studies examining the effectiveness of this agent for the treatment of FRDA patients.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2005
Combined cord blood stem cells and gene therapy enhances angiogenesis and improves cardiac performance in mouse after acute myocardial infarction.
Gene and stem cell therapies hold promise for the treatment of ischaemic cardiovascular disease. However, combined stem cell and angiogenic growth factor gene therapy for acute ischaemic myocardium has not been previously reported. This study hypothesized that combined stem cell and gene therapy would not only augment new vessels formation but also improve myocardial function in acute ischaemic myocardium. ⋯ Combined therapy with human umbilical cord blood CD34(+) cells and both Ang1 and VEGF genes reduced infarct size, attenuated the progression of cardiac dysfunction and increased capillary density in acute myocardial infarction in mice.