Overload of iron in the skin of patients with varicose ulcers. Possible contributing role of iron accumulation in progression of the disease

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Arch. Dermatol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.1988.01670090032006· OSTI ID:6728262

Ackerman, Z; Seidenbaum, M; Loewenthal, E; Rubinow, A

The brown pigmentation of the skin associated with venous ulceration is caused by increased local iron deposition. Diagnostic x-ray spectrometry, a method based on x-ray fluorescence analysis, was used for the noninvasive determination of iron levels in the skin of patients with venous ulceration. The mean (+/- SEM) iron concentration in the skin around the venous ulcer was elevated, compared with control values of nonulcerated skin (250 +/- 54 vs 128 +/- 39 micrograms) and compared with normal skin from the forearm (250 +/- 54 vs 14 +/- 2.5 micrograms). These data suggest that dermal iron deposition may not be an incidental by-product of increased venous pressure, but may actively perpetuate tissue damage in venous ulcerations.

• Research Organization: Hadassah Univ. Hospital, Jerusalem (Israel)
• OSTI ID: 6728262
• Journal Information: Arch. Dermatol.; (United States), Vol. 124:9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
IRON
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
SKIN DISEASES
PATHOGENESIS
VEINS
ULCERS
PATIENTS
SKIN
TOXICITY
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
BLOOD VESSELS
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
METALS
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
550901 - Pathology- Tracer Techniques