Abstract

MERONO, Tomás; SORROCHE, Patricia  and  BRITES, Fernando D.. Increased iron store and its relationship with cardiovascular disease. Medicina (B. Aires) [online]. 2011, vol.71, n.6, pp.566-572. ISSN 0025-7680.

In the last years, great advance has been achieved in the control of several of the classic atherogenic risk factors; nonetheless, the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) still remains high. Among the disorders which are associated with CVD, increased iron stores have been described as one of them. Its study gained relevance since the "iron hypothesis", which postulates that low iron levels exert a protective effect on cardiovascular system, was elaborated. In spite of the numerous studies carried out to test this hypothesis, the results have been controversial. On the other hand, much knowledge regarding iron metabolism has been gained since the description of the regulatory hormone, hepcidin. The studies on hepcidin physiologic functions allowed the elaboration of new hypothesis that could explain the results formerly conceived as inconsistent. The aim of the present review is to describe, in light of the newest advances in iron metabolism regulation and its association with inflammation, the current state of knowledge regarding the possible role of iron overload as a risk factor of CVD.

Keywords : Iron; Cardiovascular disease; Aterosclerosis; Iron overload; Hereditary hemochromatosis.