Noninvasive analysis of skin iron and zinc levels in beta-thalassemia major and intermedia

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · J. Lab. Clin. Med.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5828625

Gorodetsky, R; Goldfarb, A; Dagan, I; Rachmilewitz, E A

Diagnostic x-ray spectrometry, a method based on x-ray fluorescence analysis, was used for noninvasive determination of iron and zinc in two distinct skin areas, representing predominantly dermal and epidermal tissues, in 56 patients with beta-thalassemia major and intermedia. The mean iron levels in the skin of patients with beta-thalassemia major and intermedia were elevated by greater than 200% and greater than 50%, respectively, compared with control values. The zinc levels of both skin areas examined were within the normal range. The data indicate that the rate and number of blood transfusions, which correlated well with serum ferritin levels (r . 0.8), are not the only factors that determine the amount of iron deposition in the skin (r less than 0.6). Other sources of iron intake contribute to the total iron load in the tissues, particularly in patients who are not given multiple transfusions. The noninvasive quantitation of skin levels may reflect the extent of iron deposition in major parenchymal organs. Repeated DXS examinations of the skin could monitor the clearance of iron from the tissues of patients with iron overload in the course of therapy with chelating agents.

• Research Organization: Hadassah Univ. Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
• OSTI ID: 5828625
• Journal Information: J. Lab. Clin. Med.; (United States), Vol. 105:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
IRON
CLEARANCE
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
SKIN
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ZINC
ANEMIAS
CHELATING AGENTS
EPIDERMIS
PATIENTS
TRANSFUSIONS
X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY
ANIMAL TISSUES
BODY
DISEASES
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
EPITHELIUM
HEMIC DISEASES
METALS
ORGANS
SPECTROSCOPY
SYMPTOMS
THERAPY
TISSUES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
550501* - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques