Detoxification in hemosiderosis.

Transfusional iron overload in patients with chronic renal failure is a growing concern and its therapeutic approach develops both on the lines of prevention and of cure. It is now proved that the control mechanisms which relate iron absorption to body iron stores are intact in patients on dialysis. Oral iron therapy is therefore recommended in almost all patients. In some dialysis patients with transfusion-dependent anemia, a measure currently acknowledged to reduce transfusion iron overload consists of the use of young instead of mature erythrocytes for transfusions. The tissue depletion of iron by desferrioxamine is an alternative therapy which can prevent hemosiderosis or cure organ dysfunction due to iron overload. In some patients, the simultaneous occurrence of iron and aluminum overload suggests there may be competition between chelation of iron and aluminum. In fact, clinical studies show that both iron and aluminum can be removed by administration of desferrioxamine.