Chemical and structural characterisation of iron cores of haemosiderins isolated from different sources

The elemental content of the iron cores of haemosiderins isolated from animal and human tissues has been determined to ascertain whether changes in composition are correlated with structural differences previously identified in these mineralisation products. Significant differences were observed in the elemental composition of haemosiderins isolated from patients subjected to desferrioxamine‐chelation therapy compared to patients who had been venesected. The P/Fe molar ratio was considerably higher in haemosiderin isolated from treated primary haemochromatosis (0.83), compared to untreated primary haemochromatosis (0.10) and treated secondary haemochromatosis (0.25), and this could account for the amorphous nature of these iron cores. The levels of M/Fe (M = Ca, Cu, Zn) were reduced in the haemosiderins derived from treated secondary haemochromatosis patients, possibly due to the chelation of these ions by desferrioxamine therapy. In an experimentally iron‐loaded rat, receiving either desferrioxamine or 1,2‐diethyl‐3‐hydroxypyrid‐4‐one, selective decreases in these three elements were also observed after two weeks of desferrioxamine therapy. Such changes may be important determinants in the modification of biomineralisation of the iron cores.