Role of iron in dermatology

Iron is involved in several biological reactions and is essential to almost all forms of life. In contrast, iron is potentially toxic. It may particip ate in many dermatological disorders, including pigmentation changes, infla mmation, porphyrias, infections and cancers. The involvement of iron in the se disorders entails a variety of mechanisms, including among others simple deposition processes, activation or inactivation of enzymatic systems, imp airment of phagocyte functions and interference with apoptosis. A better un derstanding of the role of iron might provide novel therapeutic strategies based on iron-chelating and/or anti-oxidant agents. Copyright (C) 2000 S. K arger AG, Basel.