Non-transferrin-bound iron and risk of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women.

Background: Epidemiological studies aimed at correlating coronary heart disease (CHD) with serum ferritin levels have thus far yielded inconsistent results. We hypothesized that a labile iron component associated with non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) that appears in individuals with overt or cryptic iron overload might be more suitable for establishing correlations with CHD.

Methods And Results: We investigated the relation of NTBI, serum iron, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin with risk of CHD and acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Endothelial activation and induction of monocyte adhesion by nontransferrin-bound iron present in human sera.

Nontransferrin-bound iron (NTBI) has been detected in iron overload diseases. This form of iron may exert pro-oxidant effects and modulate cellular function and inflammatory response. The present study has aimed to investigate the effects of serum NTBI on monocyte adherence to endothelium.

Intracellular labile iron modulates adhesion of human monocytes to human endothelial cells.

Objective: Elevated iron stores and high plasma iron concentration have been linked to an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Iron may thereby affect the interaction of monocytes to endothelium, an initial event in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Methods And Results: Addition of 10 mumol/L non-transferrin-bound iron to the incubation medium caused a 2-fold increase in monocyte adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).