Trace Elements in Medicine (Moscow)
2018, 19(2): 27-33
TOPICAL PAPERS

CLINICAL SYMPTOMS OF IRON DEFICIENCY – EVIDENCE OF INCREASED DISABILITY NITROXIDE?

V.I. Petukhov 1 , L.Kh. Baumane 2

1 Vladimir State University, Gorky str., 87, Vladimir, 600000, Russia 2 Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles str., 21, Riga LV 1006, Latvia

DOI: 10.19112/2413-6174-2018-19-2-27-34 

ABSTRACT. The article presents a hypothesis, with the help of which the authors tries to explain the origin of sideropenic symptoms in patients with various forms of iron deficiency (ID). For 116 subjects (32 males and 84 females aged 17 to78), authors analyzed the correlation (Pearson) between the NO-radical signal intensity on the spectrogram and the serum ferritin level (as a body iron level criterion) correlation coefficient r = 0,57 (p < 0,05). Spectrometric measurements were made by the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) method using diethylthiocarbamate (DETC) in vitro (as a «trap»). The problem of reliable diagnosis of iron deficiency (ID) is becoming relevant in connection with the likely dependence of the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) on the body's level of iron. The existence of such a dependence is indicated by the modern concept about a three-component system (NO+ free thiols + non-heme Fe). This biosystem is in the cell as the permanent source of nitrogen monoxide, more precisely, its` of the most reactogenic forms: nitrosonium (NO+) and nitroxyl (NO– or HNO). It is known that the weakness of skeletal muscles is a pathognomonic symptom of Fe-deficient anemia. Besides one can be observed the deterioration of not only coronary blood flow (as a result of impaired peristalsis of coronary vessels) in these patients, but and the reduction contractile ability of the myocardium, as well as weakening of tonus and peristaltic contractions of the hollow muscular organs. According to authors` hypothesis, all typical manifestations of ID (regenerative disorders, muscle weakness, cognitive disorders, pica chlorotica, etc.) should be explained by the functional insufficiency of nitroxide. At the heart of the hypothesis proposed by the authors is the idea of synchronization (criticality) of the processes providing the mediating function of nitrogen monoxide.

KEYWORDS: nitric oxide (NO), iron deficiency (ID), EPR spectroscopy.