Role of Zinc(II) Ion for the Formation of Iron Deposition in Human Body and Its Significance

Abstract

Iron depositions, one of the non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI), are frequently observed for the patients with thalassemia, hemochromatosis and other iron-overloading disorders. In this article, we have pointed out that zinc(II) ion and hydrogen peroxide play a critical role in the formation of the iron deposition, and that the formation of iron deposition by zinc(II) ion should be one of the important method to protect the oxidative stress by water-soluble NTBI. This implies that the zinc(II) ions contribute to depress the oxidative stress by NTBI.