Iron, the HFE gene, and hepatitis C

Selective turn-on fluorescence sensing of Fe2+ in real water samples by chalcones

The design of fluorescence sensor for selective detection of Fe²⁺ is very important as it is part of different biochemical redox system related to a number of diseases. In many occasion sensors are unable to distinguish Fe²⁺ from Fe³⁺ ions. In the present work, we report simple chalcone type sensors for sensing Fe²⁺ ions in semi aqueous system. The receptors R1 and R2 have showed excellent sensing properties at pH 7 in CH₃OH-H₂O (1:1, v/v) solvent system. The fluorescence emission intensity of the complexes between hosts and Fe²⁺ is least affected by the other competitive metal ions leading to the formation of very tight host-guest complex. The LOD for the R1 and R2 for Fe²⁺ are 1.91 μM and 3.54 μM respectively, which is quite low in compared to the many other reported sensors. The practical applicability of these sensors is determined by the detection of Fe²⁺ in real water samples. So chalcones would be cost effective PET inhibited fluorescence sensor for Fe²⁺.

Applications of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy in environmental detection

As the human population grows, the anthropogenic impacts from various agricultural and industrial processes produce unwanted contaminants in the environment. The accurate, sensitive and rapid detection of such contaminants is vital for human health and safety. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a valuable analytical tool with wide applications in environmental contaminant monitoring. The aim of this review is to summarize recent advancements within SERS research as it applies to environmental detection, with a focus on research published or accessible from January 2021 through December 2021 including early-access publications. Our goal is to provide a wide breadth of information that can be used to provide background knowledge of the field, as well as inform and encourage further development of SERS techniques in protecting environmental quality and safety. Specifically, we highlight the characteristics of effective SERS nanosubstrates, and explore methods for the SERS detection of inorganic, organic, and biological contaminants including heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, plastic particles, synthetic dyes, pesticides, viruses, bacteria and mycotoxins. We also discuss the current limitations of SERS technologies in environmental detection and propose several avenues for future investigation. We encourage researchers to fill in the identified gaps so that SERS can be implemented in a real-world environment more effectively and efficiently, ultimately providing reliable and timely data to help and make science-based strategies and policies to protect environmental safety and public health.

Fluorescent probes for the detection of catalytic Fe(II) ion

Iron (Fe) is the most abundant redox-active metal ion in the human body, and its redox-active inter-convertible multiple oxidation states contributes to numerous essential biological processes. Moreover, iron overload can potentially cause cellular damage and death, as wel as numerous diseases through the aberrant production of highly reactive oxidative species (hROS). Protein-free or weakly-protein-bound Fe ions play a pivotal role as catalytic reactants of the Fenton reaction. In this reaction, hROS, such as hydroxyl radicals and high valent-iron-oxo species, are generated by a reaction between hydrogen peroxide and Fe(II), which is re-generated through reduction using abundant intracellular reductants, such as glutathione. This results in the catalytic evolution of hROS. Thus, selective detection of the catalytic Fe(II) in the living systems can explain both of the pathological and physiological functions of Fe(II). Written from the perspective of their modes of actions, this paper presents recent advances in the development of fluorescent and bioluminescent probes that can selectively detect catalytic Fe(II) together with their biological applications.

Serum ferritin levels are associated with a distinct phenotype of chronic hepatitis C poorly responding to pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin therapy

Elevated serum ferritin levels may reflect a systemic inflammatory state as well as increased iron storage, both of which may contribute to an unfavorable outcome of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We therefore performed a comprehensive analysis of the role of serum ferritin and its genetic determinants in the pathogenesis and treatment of CHC. To this end, serum ferritin levels at baseline of therapy with pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin or before biopsy were correlated with clinical and histological features of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, including necroinflammatory activity (N = 970), fibrosis (N = 980), steatosis (N = 886), and response to treatment (N = 876). The association between high serum ferritin levels (> median) and the endpoints was assessed by logistic regression. Moreover, a candidate gene as well as a genome-wide association study of serum ferritin were performed. We found that serum ferritin ≥ the sex-specific median was one of the strongest pretreatment predictors of treatment failure (univariate P < 0.0001, odds ratio [OR] = 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.34-0.60). This association remained highly significant in a multivariate analysis (P = 0.0002, OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.20-0.61), with an OR comparable to that of interleukin (IL)28B genotype. When patients with the unfavorable IL28B genotypes were stratified according to high versus low ferritin levels, SVR rates differed by > 30% in both HCV genotype 1- and genotype 3-infected patients (P < 0.001). Serum ferritin levels were also independently associated with severe liver fibrosis (P < 0.0001, OR = 2.67, 95% CI = 1.68-4.25) and steatosis (P = 0.002, OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.35-3.91), but not with necroinflammatory activity (P = 0.3). Genetic variations had only a limited impact on serum ferritin levels.

CONCLUSION

In patients with CHC, elevated serum ferritin levels are independently associated with advanced liver fibrosis, hepatic steatosis, and poor response to interferon-alpha-based therapy.

Polymorphisms of hemochromatosis, and alpha-1 antitrypsin genes in Egyptian HCV patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma

Hereditary hemochromatosis and alpha-1antitrypsin deficiency are genetic diseases characterized by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress with subsequent development of liver disease. Our aim was to estimate the frequency of hemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutant alleles (C282Y and H63D) and alpha-1 antitrypsin S/Z variants among Egyptian HCV cirrhotic patients and in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and to evaluate their effects on disease progression. HFE and alpha-1 antitrypsin polymorphisms were characterized in 200 Egyptian patients with HCV infection (100 patients complicated with cirrhosis, 100 patients with HCC) and 100 healthy subjects who had no history of any malignancy. The frequencies of HD genotype of H63D mutation were significantly increased in HCC patients compared to control group and to cirrhosis group. Also, the frequencies of DD genotype were significantly increased In HCC group compared to control group and to cirrhosis group. Our results suggested that Carriers of the D allele of H63D mutation were significantly more likely to develop HCC.

The role of trace elements on hepatitis virus infections: a review

The significance of the nutritional roles of trace metals (includes some heavy metals) is widely recognized, since these elements are as constituent components of many metal proteins and metalloenzymes serum trace metals levels, and their ratios are frequently reported to be good marker for diagnosing various diseases. Trace metals play an important role in liver disease particularly liver degeneration. Influence of trace elements has been studied in a large number of viruses belonging to different groups. This review reported the role of some trace elements iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) as well as toxic elements Pb on hepatitis virus infections.

Serum ferritin: Past, present and future

BACKGROUND

Serum ferritin was discovered in the 1930s, and was developed as a clinical test in the 1970s. Many diseases are associated with iron overload or iron deficiency. Serum ferritin is widely used in diagnosing and monitoring these diseases.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

In this chapter, we discuss the role of serum ferritin in physiological and pathological processes and its use as a clinical tool.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Although many aspects of the fundamental biology of serum ferritin remain surprisingly unclear, a growing number of roles have been attributed to extracellular ferritin, including newly described roles in iron delivery, angiogenesis, inflammation, immunity, signaling and cancer.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Serum ferritin remains a clinically useful tool. Further studies on the biology of this protein may provide new biological insights.

Trends in speciation analysis of some heavy metals in serum of patients with chronic hepatitis C and chronic hepatitis B using differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetric measurement and atomic absorption spectrophotometry

The relationships between chronic liver diseases and trace heavy metal contents in blood are debatable and have not been understood clearly. The present study is undertaken to determine Co, Fe, and Ni concentrations in sera from viral hepatitis patients. In all eighty patients with chronic hepatitis (B, C) and 29 healthy individuals were chosen for this study. Donors were selected from different environmental areas, including Aswan, Kom Ombo, and Edfu as polluted areas, and Daraw as an unpolluted area. Co, Fe, and Ni concentrations in patient and healthy blood serum were measured by two different analytical techniques: differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPA(d)SV) and atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results reveal that Fe is present in higher level in the blood serum of hepatitis patients than in the healthy control, whereas Co and Ni showed the opposite trend. Hepatitis patients from Edfu area exhibited higher Fe level in their serum than those from the other areas, while hepatitis patients and healthy control from Daraw area (free from pollution) exhibited the lowest metal values. Patients with hepatitis C show lower levels of Co, Ni, and Fe in their serum than those with hepatitis B. A comparative study was carried out between the results using DPA(d)SV and AAS techniques, which are in very good agreements.

Severe iron overload with a novel aminolevulinate synthase mutation and hepatitis C infection. A case report

A 55 year old man with a history of chronic hepatitis C infection was found to have severe hemochromatosis: hepatic cirrhosis, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, hypogonadism, diabetes and bronzed skin color. After 50 phlebotomies, he underwent a combined heart and liver transplant. Genetic analyses identified a novel mutation in the iron responsive element of the ALAS2 gene. No mutations were found in other genes associated with adult or juvenile hemochromatosis including HFE, transferrin receptor-2 (TFR2), ferroportin (SLC40A1), hepcidin (HAMP) and hemojuvelin (HJV). We suggest that the ALAS2 mutation together with chronic hepatitis C infection may have caused the severe iron overload phenotype.

Hereditary hemochromatosis in the post-HFE era

Following the discovery of the HFE gene in 1996 and its linkage to the iron overload disorder hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) there have been profound developments in our understanding of the pathogenesis of the biochemical and clinical manifestations of a number of iron overload disorders. This article provides an update of recent developments and key issues relating to iron homeostasis and inherited disorders of iron overload, with emphasis on HFE-related HH, and is based on the content of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Single-Topic Conference entitled "Hemochromatosis: What has Happened After HFE?" which was held at the Emory Convention Center in Atlanta, September 7-9, 2007.

Atypical arthritis due to combined hereditary hemochromatosis and active hepatitis C

A 51-year-old Caucasian female presented with asymmetric arthritis and a positive rheumatoid factor. She was initially treated for rheumatoid arthritis. However, she had features such as abnormal liver function tests and osteoarthritis in an unusual location, the metacarpophalangeal joint. Further workup revealed that the patient had active hepatitis C and hereditary hemochromatosis. Phlebotomy treatment initiation seemed to be associated with improvement in joint symptoms but, more importantly, may have prevented future risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. Treatment for the hepatitis C may also be needed. Clinicians should look for underlying systemic illnesses leading to atypical inflammatory arthritis.

Alanine aminotransferase flare-up in hepatitis C virus carriers with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels in a hyperendemic area of Japan

BACKGROUND

The clinical features of hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (PNALT) levels (ALT < or = 34 IU/l) have not been fully elucidated. We investigated clinical factors associated with ALT flare-up in PNALT individuals in a HCV hyperendemic area of Japan.

METHODS

We analyzed 101 HCV carriers who had PNALT between 1993 and 2000. The first occurrence of ALT flare-up (ALT > or = 35 IU/l) between 2001 and 2005 was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis of factors predicting ALT flare-up were conducted using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 2.8 years, and the 5-year cumulative incidence of ALT flare-up was estimated to be 31.8%. In multivariate analysis, an ALT level of 20-34 IU/l and a high serum ferritin level (> or =90 ng/ml) in the most recently available data up to the year 2000, as well as H63D heterozygosity in the HFE gene, were independently and strongly associated with the incidence of ALT flare-up (Hazard ratios = 5.6, 3.1, and 4.8, respectively). In addition, HFE H63D heterozygosity was significantly associated with higher serum ferritin levels in subjects with PNALT (153.8 + or - 73.3 ng/ml in subjects with the 63HD genotype vs. 89.4 + or - 51.3 ng/ml in subjects with the 63HH genotype, P = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

HCV carriers with PNALT in this population were at risk for ALT flare-up. Basal ALT levels, serum ferritin levels, and HFE polymorphism are potentially important predictors of ALT flare-up.

Association of hepatitis C virus infection with serum iron status: analysis of data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND

There is growing evidence that mildly increased amounts of iron in the liver can increase hepatic injury, particularly if combined with other hepatotoxic factors, such as alcohol use, use of porphyrogenic drugs, or chronic viral hepatitis. In the present study, the association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with serum measurements of iron status was assessed in the US population.

METHODS

We analyzed data from a total of 14,462 participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We excluded subjects who were aged <12 years, subjects for whom measurements of serum levels of iron or ferritin or the results of liver function tests were missing, and subjects who had a serum transferrin saturation of > or =50% (to help exclude subjects with hemochromatosis).

RESULTS

Mean serum levels of ferritin and iron (+/- standard error) were significantly higher among subjects with HCV infection (100+/-3 ng/mL and 229+/-17 microg/dL, respectively) than among subjects without liver disease (83+/-0.3 ng/mL and 101+/-2.1 microg/dL, respectively) (P<.0001). Serum levels of ferritin were directly and significantly correlated with serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (r=0.25, r=0.24, and r=0.28, respectively; P<.0001), whereas platelet counts were inversely correlated with serum levels of ferritin (r=-0.12; P<.0001).

CONCLUSION

HCV infection is significantly associated with higher serum levels of ferritin and iron in the US population.

Iron and microbial infection

The use of iron as a cofactor in basic metabolic pathways is essential to both pathogenic microorganisms and their hosts. It is also a pivotal component of the innate immune response through its role in the generation of toxic oxygen and nitrogen intermediates. During evolution, the shared requirement of micro- and macroorganisms for this important nutrient has shaped the pathogen-host relationship. Here, we discuss how pathogens compete with the host for iron, and also how the host uses iron to counteract this threat.