Abstract
In iron deficiency anemia (FeDA) and lead intoxication (Pbl) the final step in heme synthesis is deranged in such a manner that protoporphyrin (PP) accumulates within the red blood cells. A Zinc-PP chelate (ZnPP) is the primary species of PP present in these conditions. By fluorescent spectra we have found some free (unchelated) PP in addition to ZnPP in the rbcs of children with FeDA and Pbl. In fact, in one child with acute FeDA the predominant species present was free PP, and this PP was changed to ZnPP during the course of treatment. Sequential studies of lead-poisoned rats show that PP in the peripheral blood increases rapidly (within a week of exposure) and that initially free PP is the predominant species; as exposure continues ZnPP becomes more prominent. Density gradient separation of these rbcs reveals that the youngest cells contain a large amount of PP, which is mainly free, while the older cells contain predominantly ZnPP. Therefore, in the rat the proportion of ZnPP to free PP increases in the rbc, both with chronic lead exposure and with increasing cell age. These data indicate that in Pbl and FeDA the PP produced in the rbcs is initially tree PP which subsequently chelates zinc.
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Hart, D., Plomelli, S. & Graziano, J. TWO MOLECULAR SPECIES OF PROTOPORPHYRIN IN LEAD INTOXICATION AND IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA;. Pediatr Res 11, 472 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00614
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00614