Novel orally active iron chelators (3-hydroxypyridin-4-ones) enhance the biliary excretion of plasma non-transferrin-bound iron in rats

Background/Aims: It is well documented that levels of plasma non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI), a particularly toxic form of iron, are increased in iron overload disorders. In light of the pathogenetic importance of NTBI in chronic iron overload, we have studied the ability of new orally active iron chelators to promote the biliary excretion of iron originating as plasma 55Fe-NTBI.