Iron is a microelement with the most completely studied biological functions. Its wide dissemination in nature and involvement in key metabolic pathways determine the great importance of this metal for uni- and multicellular organisms. The biological role of iron is characterized by its indispensability in cell respiration and various biochemical processes providing normal functioning of cells and organs of the human body. Iron also plays an important role in the generation of free radicals, which under different conditions can be useful or damaging to biomolecules and cells. In the literature, there are many reviews devoted to iron metabolism and its regulation in pro- and eukaryotes. Significant progress has been achieved recently in understanding molecular bases of iron metabolism. The purpose of this review is to systematize available data on mechanisms of iron assimilation, distribution, and elimination from the human body, as well as on its biological importance and on the major iron-containing proteins. The review summarizes recent ideas about iron metabolism. Special attention is paid to mechanisms of iron absorption in the small intestine and to interrelationships of cellular and extracellular pools of this metal in the human body.

The influence of modified nanosized magnetite (NSM) particles (magnetic microspheres coated with chitosan and magnetoliposomes) after a single intravenous infusion of their suspensions on iron metabolism in rats has been studied. Modern physical and chemical methods (X-ray fluorescence, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy) were used for standardization of the modified NSM particles (their size, structure, ζ-potential, and concentration were determined). Atomic emission spectroscopy was used to reveal the dynamics of iron content in rat liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys during 120 days. Colorimetric and immunoturbidimetric methods were used to determine the concentrations of plasma iron and the proteins involved in its metabolism - ceruloplasmin, transferrin, and ferritin. Their dynamics throughout the experiments were studied.

Цель. Провести морфофункциональную характеристику эпителиоцитов ацинусов и протоков поднижнечелюстных слюнных желез (ПСЖ) половозрелых крыс на фоне многократной ампутации резцов. Материалы и методы. Эксперимент проведен на половозрелых (возраст 2 мес) белых беспородных самцах крыс, разделенных на группы: интактная, контрольная и группа крыс, подвергшихся многократной ампутации резцов. При помощи гистологических, гистохимических и морфометрических методов оценено морфофункциональное состояние эпителиоцитов протоков и ацинусов ПСЖ половозрелых крыс на 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-и 12-й нед после первой ампутации резцов. Результаты. После многократной ампутации резцов наблюдается увеличение площади ацинусов ПСЖ на 3-10-й нед эксперимента. Функциональная активность клеток протоков и ацинусов поднижнечелюстных желез снижается на 2-4-й нед эксперимента. * отличие от аналогичного показателя животных интактной группы; # отличие от показателя предыдущей недели ýтой же группы, достигнутый уровень значимости р < 0,05.