The Effect of Iron Stores and Liver Disease on the Serum Concentration of Transferrin, Haemopexin and Caeruloplasmin

AbstractSerum concentrations of transferrin, haemopexin and caeruloplasmin have been measured in patients with haemochromatosis and other liver disorders, and the levels compared with those in a control group. Patients with cirrhosis or extrahepatic portal hypertension had normal concentrations of the three proteins except when hepatic decompensation was evident. In decompensated cirrhosis serum albumin and haemopexin levels were reduced. Untreated haemochromatosis, characterized by excessive hepatic iron stores on biopsy, was associated with a significant reduction in the serum concentration of all three proteins. Reductions were documented in both cirrhotic and non‐cirrhotic haemochromatosis. The results document an effect of elevated hepatic iron stores on hepatic protein metabolism and suggest the need for further studies on the regulation of hepatic metalloprotein metabolism.