Association of SNPs in transferrin and transferrin receptor genes with blood iron levels in human

Iron is the most abundant metal in biological tissues. It is crucial for oxygen transport and storage, electron transport and energy metabolism, antioxidant and beneficial pro-oxidant functions, and oxygen sensing. However, excess iron is toxic because of the generation of free radicals [1], and cause dysfunction, fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis in organs [2]. Therefore the processes regulating iron homeostasis and iron absorption are critical. Moreover, an association between high tissue iron concentrations and disease (infection, neoplasia and ischaemic heart disease) have been reported [3] and elevated serum iron associates with liver diseases [4].
Source: Legal Medicine - Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Source Type: research