Role of iron in hepatic fibrosis: One piece in the puzzle

Rieske proteins of the respiratory chain) Iron is involved in the redox-driven processes of oxygen transport, electron transport and various enzymatic reactions such as DNA synthesis, transcriptional regulation, catalysis as well as nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen sensing Mammals do not have any major physiological pathway for iron excretion. Therefore, iron uptake and storage is closely regulated so as to avoid deficiency, and excess. In humans, iron deficiency is manifested as anaemia and with increasing severity can eventually result in cardiac failure. Iron overload, especially at sites of storage, enhances oxidative stress ultimately leading to lipid, nucleic acid and protein peroxidation. Within the liver, which is the major site of iron storage, enhanced oxidative stress can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and death.