Erythrocyte Copper and Porphyrins in Lead Poisoning

In Vitro Pyrrole and Porphyrin Synthesis in Lead Poisoning and Iron Deficiency*

“…Unusually large amounts of 8-aminolevulinic acid (5,31) and porphyrins (32) are found in the urine, and free erythrocyte porphyrins are markedly elevated (2,33,34). It is most likely that these findings reflect defective heme biosynthesis rather than abnormalities in heme catabolism (4).…”

“…The early literature has recently been reviewed (2). The presence of intracellular iron granules (3) and the excessive urinary excretion of 8-aminolevulinic acid and coproporphyrin III (4,5) all suggest disturbances in the biosynthesis of heme.…”

Clinical Significance of the Blood Copper in Hodgkin’s Disease

“…A similar effect has not been demonstrated in man and the role of copper in the utilization of iron for haemoglobin synthesis also seems debatable (10). However, in certain forms of anaemia variations of the erythro cyte copper have been demonstrated, although the significance of these findings remains obscure (11,12).…”

Erythrocyte Copper in Iron Deficiency Anaemia

“…Increased values have occasionally been reported in association with the most various affections, as in infections, chronic leukaemia, tumours and Hodg kin's disease (7,16); an elevated erythrocyte copper content seems to be the rule in lead poisoning anaemia (17); the same phenomenon has been reported in researches on iron deficiency anaemia (7,16,21). A more or less marked increase of the corpuscular copper was found in all the cases considered in the present report.…”