Refsum SB, Schreiner B. Iron excretion from the goblet cells of the small intestine in man. An additional regulatory mechanism in iron homeostasis?
Scand J Gastroenterol 1980;
15:1013-20. [PMID:
6940236 DOI:
10.3109/00365528009181806]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Iron-excreting goblet cells were observed by chance in a patient with myelogenic leukaemia. Duodenal and jejunal biopsies from patients with a wide spectrum of disorders have therefore been examined retrospectively after staining with Perl's iron method. Thirty-seven of the patients had iron-excreting goblet cells. The presence of iron has been confirmed by X-ray microanalysis and by electron microscopic histochemistry. In addition to iron-excreting goblet cells, most of these patients had iron-containing macrophages in lamina propria. This may indicate that the two types of cells co-operate in the excretion process. It is suggested that iron excretion may be part of the common iron balance mechanism.
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