Membrane-bound iron contributes to oxidative damage of beta-thalassaemia intermedia erythrocytes

Iron-dependent oxidative reactions in beta -thalassaemic erythrocyte membra nes are involved in premature cell removal and anaemia. We studied 22 beta -thalassaemia intermedia patients (i) to assess if membrane iron accumulati on influences the oxidative damage to thalassaemic cells, and (ii) to see w hether the mechanisms of haemoglobin destabilization described in vitro hav e indicators in circulating erythrocytes. Serum non-transferrin-bound iron as potentially toxic iron for erythrocytes was also evaluated. Membrane-bou nd free iron significantly correlated to bound haemichromes, suggesting a c ausal relation, but was poorly related to serum non-transferrin iron, which seems to contribute little to damage from outside the cells. The spleen pl ayed an important role in the removal of cells with more membrane iron.