CHAPTER 4

IRON
Present in some forms whenever
respiration occurs
In the respiration chain, transports
molecular O2 in the higher organism
Essential to the metabolic processes in
cell
All depend on the ability of iron to exist in
coordination compound in different
states of oxidation and bonding.
Body Components of Fe
Blood System/Hemoglobin & Plasma/ Heme &
transferrin/ O2 and Fe transport
Tissue/ Functional or the Storage Iron/Heme &
ferretin and hemosiderin/Cell Respiration and
Iron pool detoxification
Proteins associated with Iron
1. Hemoproteins- iron containing proteins
responsible for
Respiration
For carrying O2
Cytochrome C- respiratory enzymes in
which Fe is a complex in a porphyrin
(heme)ring bonded covalently with
protein portion of molecules.
Oxygen carrier
Can be present as Fe2+ and Fe3+ as it
picks electron in the process of
electron transfer.
Myoglobin and Hemoglobin are
homeproteins responsible for
storing/transporting O2.
Hemoglobin have 4 protein chains
2. Iron-storage and /or Transport Protein
Ferrittin water soluble,
crystallizable iron protein build from
apoferritin and micelles of Ferric OH
phosphate complex.
o Stored in Ferric form but
released as a Fe2+
Hemosiderin water insoluble and
considered as dehydrated ferritin
Both are found in the Liver, Spleen and Bone
marrow
The major iron transport protein is
glycoprotein = transferrin
Anemia- less number of bloods in the body
Lower oxygen capacity of the blood
Causes:
Blood destruction (in drug therapy,
infections and toxins)
Excessive blood loss (hemorrhage)
Decrease blood formation
When Iron prescribed = orally = astringent,
Better after meals or between meals for greater
absorption.
Most absorption occurs in duodenum and
unabsorbed iron will excrete out.

FERROUS SULFATE (FeSO5 . 2H2O)
Iron Sulfate, Copperas, Green/Iron Vitriol
Properties:
Pale, bluish green crystals
Odorless
Saline, styptic taste
Efflorescent in dry air
Oxidizes readily in moist air brownish
yellow basic Ferric Sulfate (Fe4 (OH)2
(SO4)4)
Do not use ferrous sulfate coated with
brownish yellow basic salt
Soluble in water, alcohol ang B water
Preparation:
Commercial ferrous sulfate(Feso5 2h2o)
copperas
By product in picking up steel steel
+HCL vat liquor crystallization
Mineral pyrite (iron pyrite or fool gold)
subjective to atmospheric oxidation
After sometimes the mass is extracted
with water treated with scarp iron-
convert ferric to ferrous evap to crys
Uses:
Hematinic orally iron deficieny anemia

IODIDE
- Synthesis oF the 2 hormones produced by
the thyroid glands : triiodothyronine and
thyroxine.
- Internally iodine iodide converted
in the intestinal act
- Daily dose of iodine 140 mcg (male) 100
mcg (female)
- Lack of iodine- enlargement of thyroid
gland, known as a simple or colloid goiter
- Swelling at the neck
- It is a compensatory mechanism whereby
the body attempts to make up
the hormome deficiency by increasing the size
- Used Therapeutically
Ameliorating- improve HyperTy
Fibrolytic agent in syphilis, leprosy
Expectorant
Alternative(reestablish the health of an
individual)
Administration of iodide that exceed a certain level
Irritative phenomena to the skin and mucuos
membrane
Termed as IODISM
Exhibited by coryza (head cold), rashes,
headache, laryngitis and stuff
Should NOT be given in case of ACNE.
Admn. of NaCl may aid in more rapid elimination
od I-.

COPPER
Necessary for normal metabolism
Found in adequate amounts in food, water
and cooking utensils
Roles Cu in body metabolism, specifically hemoglobin
formation:
1. Facilitate iron absorption
2. Stimulating the enzymes in the heme and
or/globin biosynthetic pathways
3. Involved in mobilization of stored iron,
preparatory to utilization of iron into
hemoglobin molecules
Wilsons disease excessive Copper storage in the
liver.
Symptoms- hepatic cirrhosis, brain damage
and demyelination and kidney defects
Drug Choice penicillamine

ZINC
Widely distributed in the body assoc with
o metalloenzymes
o lie alcohol dehydrogenase
o lactic dehydrogenase
o carbonic anhydrase
o carboxypeptidase
deficiency in zinc impared growth,
parakeratosis thickened, scaly inflamed
skin and retarded sexual maturation
meat, mil, fish, nuts and legumes
investigated as wound healing

CHROMIUM
improve/ normalize impaired glucose
tolerance
SELENIUM
antioxidant in the conjuction of Vit E.
seborrhea dermatitis
NON ESSENTIAL IONS
- Li, Sr, Al, Pb, As, F, Br, Ag, Au, Hg, Cd
1. LITHIUM
Depressant in the CNS and to circulation of
the manic-depressive disorder
Has a diuretic action




3.ALUMINUM
Soluble Al comp. = astringent and antiseptic
Deodorants
4. LEAD TOXIC POISONS
Ingestion paint chips of old houses
Phenomenon called = PICA referring to
MAGPIE and its indiscriminate eating habits.
Serious symptoms encephalopathy- brain
damage or mental retardation
5.ARSENIC
Potassium arsenite solution Fowlers
solution
Arsenic trioxide
Potassium bicarbonate
LEUKEMIA lowers leukolyte counts
Arsenicals treatment trypasonomiasis and
amoebiasis
6. FLUORIDE
Anticariogenic action (inhibition of dental
cavity development)
7. BROMIDE
Depression to CNS in small doses (0.2-2g)
Depress all reflex in large doses (4-8g)
medication to epileptic seizures
8. SILVER
Protein precipitant
Siliver ion to tissue ranges from antiseptic,
astringent , irritant to corrosive as free silver
increases
9. GOLD
Rheumatism arthritis and lupus
erythematous
10. MERCURY
Used as diuretics rid of excess fluid caused
by cardiac edema
Antiseptic, parasiticide and fungicide
Mercury poisoning can be avoided by strict
dosage schedule
11. CADMIUM - TOXIC POISONING
Itai-itai (ouch ouch)
Water contaminated by cadmium
Symptoms bone pain, waddling gait,
aminoaciduria, severe osteomalacia (bone
softening)