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

Abstract

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.

Authors:
; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Hadassah Univ. Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
OSTI Identifier:
5828625
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
J. Lab. Clin. Med.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 105:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
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

Citation Formats

Gorodetsky, R, Goldfarb, A, Dagan, I, and Rachmilewitz, E A. Noninvasive analysis of skin iron and zinc levels in beta-thalassemia major and intermedia. United States: N. p., 1985. Web.
Gorodetsky, R, Goldfarb, A, Dagan, I, & Rachmilewitz, E A. Noninvasive analysis of skin iron and zinc levels in beta-thalassemia major and intermedia. United States.
Gorodetsky, R, Goldfarb, A, Dagan, I, and Rachmilewitz, E A. 1985. "Noninvasive analysis of skin iron and zinc levels in beta-thalassemia major and intermedia". United States.
@article{osti_5828625,
title = {Noninvasive analysis of skin iron and zinc levels in beta-thalassemia major and intermedia},
author = {Gorodetsky, R and Goldfarb, A and Dagan, I and Rachmilewitz, E A},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5828625}, journal = {J. Lab. Clin. Med.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 105:1,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985}
}