Iron accumulation in human spleen in autoimmune thrombocytopenia and hereditary spherocytosis

Although the iron is an essential element for the physiological functions of cells, tissues and organs, it is also an important inductor of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Three groups of human spleen with autoimmune thrombocytopenia (AITP), hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and reference samples stained by haematoxylin and eosin, Perls' reaction for nonheme Fe(III) iron and Alcian blue for glycoconjugates detection were studied. Positive Perls' reaction in both AITP and HS groups was seen. Higher positivity in the HS than in AITP group was observed. HS group showed a higher amount of acidic glycoconjugates deposits than AITP group. Iron overload in HS and AITP leads to overproduction of ROS. We suggest that acidic glycoconjugates deposits are involved in antioxidant defence by elimination and restriction of iron as a ROS inducer (Fig. 4, Ref. 19).