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The effect of iron stores and liver disease on the serum concentration of transferrin, haemopexin and caeruloplasmin
Author(s) -
BATEY R. G.,
MUIR A. W.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.1987.tb00181.x
Subject(s) - ceruloplasmin , medicine , cirrhosis , transferrin , albumin , endocrinology , metabolism , transferrin saturation , hepcidin , liver biopsy , hemochromatosis , liver disease , decompensation , chronic hepatic , biopsy , ferritin , anemia , serum ferritin
Serum concentrations of transferrin, haemopexin and caeruloplasmin have been measured in patients with haemochromatosis and other liver disorders, and the levels compared with those in a control group. Patients with cirrhosis or extrahepatic portal hypertension had normal concentrations of the three proteins except when hepatic decompensation was evident. In decompensated cirrhosis serum albumin and haemopexin levels were reduced. Untreated haemochromatosis, characterized by excessive hepatic iron stores on biopsy, was associated with a significant reduction in the serum concentration of all three proteins. Reductions were documented in both cirrhotic and non‐cirrhotic haemochromatosis. The results document an effect of elevated hepatic iron stores on hepatic protein metabolism and suggest the need for further studies on the regulation of hepatic metalloprotein metabolism.