Non-transferrin-bound serum iron (NTBI) in megaloblastic anemia: Effect of vitamin B12 treatment

Anath Gafter-Gvili, Miron Prokocimer, William Breuer, Ioav Zeev Cabantchik, Chaim Hershko*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: The abnormalities in iron metabolism associated with megaloblastic anemia are rapidly reversed by B12 therapy in pernicious anemia (PA). Although non-tranferrin-bound plasma iron (NTBI) was previously shown to be associated with severe iron overload, its origin is unknown. Methods and results: Four patients with PA were studied before and after B12 treatment. NTBI was measured by a fluorescence-based one-step assay. All patients had very high transferrin saturation, NTBI values ranging from 1.1 to 2.6,μmol/l and normal serum ferritins. B12 treatment resulted in the disappearance of NTBI and normalization of transferrin saturation within 22-42 h. Conclusions: The prompt disappearance of NTBI following B12 therapy implicates catabolic iron derived from ineffective erythropoiesis as the major source of NTBI in untreated PA and possibly in thalassemia major and sideroblastic anemia. Our findings offer further insight into the pathogenesis of NTBI in diseases associated with abnormal erythropoiesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)32-34
Number of pages3
JournalHematology Journal
Volume5
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2004

Keywords

  • B deficiency
  • Iron overload
  • Megaloblastic anemia
  • Non-transferrin-bound plasma iron (NTBI)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Non-transferrin-bound serum iron (NTBI) in megaloblastic anemia: Effect of vitamin B12 treatment'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this