Mobilisation of Iron from Peritoneal Rat Macrophages by Desferrioxamine

Abstract

The amount of radioiron released from rat peritoneal macrophages after phagocytosis of59Fe labeled erythrocytes can be enhanced by addition of desferrioxamine. The effect is dose dependent and the Fe chelated desferrioxamine appears to be at the expense of ferritin. Desferrioxamine does not appear to chelate Fe already incorporated into ferritin. The Fe comes from a labile chelatable pool through which the Fe from Hb catabolism passes before being incorporated into ferritin. The desferrioxamine appears to enter the macrophage and chelate Fe to form ferrioxamine which subsequently leaves the macrophage. In vivo it was not possible to show substantial Fe chelation by desferrioxamine in rats when 59Fe labeled non-viable red cells were injected i.v. In vivo mobilization Res Fe by desferrioxamine may be of limited significance.