Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia: Potential Risk Factors in Bone Loss

Abstract

Iron is one of the essential mineral elements for the human body and this nutrient deficiency is a worldwide public health problem. Iron is essential in oxygen transport, participates in many enzyme systems in the body, and is an important trace element in maintaining basic cellular life activities. Iron also plays an important role in collagen synthesis and vitamin D metabolism. Therefore, decrease in intracellular iron can lead to disturbance in the activity and function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, resulting in imbalance in bone homeostasis and ultimately bone loss. Indeed, iron deficiency, with or without anemia, leads to osteopenia or osteoporosis, which has been revealed by numerous clinical observations and animal studies. This review presents current knowledge on iron metabolism under iron deficiency states and the diagnosis and prevention of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). With emphasis, studies related to iron deficiency and bone loss are discussed, and the potential mechanisms of iron deficiency leading to bone loss are analyzed. Finally, several measures to promote complete recovery and prevention of iron deficiency are listed to improve quality of life, including bone health.

The impact of diabetes, anemia, and renal function in the relationship between osteoporosis and fasting blood glucose among Taiwanese women: a cross-sectional study

“…A Korean study supported the association between eGFR and BMD, suggesting that osteoporosis might be highly prevalent in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease [ 55 ]. Long-term complications of diabetes, particularly micro- or macroalbuminuria and decreased renal function, have been found to be associated with osteoporosis [ 23 ].…”

Iron-Dependent KDM4D Activity Controls the Quiescence-Activity Balance of MSCs via the PI3K-Akt-Foxo1 Pathway

“…Iron overload can lead to an overabundance of ROS through the Fenton reaction, causing oxidative damage [8,9]. In contrast, iron de ciency can weaken overall metabolic activity, precipitating related diseases [10,22]. The intricate relationship between iron metabolism and bone health remains underexplored, and the impact of iron de ciency on bone metabolism is even less well understood.…”

“…However, under pathological conditions, this mechanism may malfunction, leading to either iron overload or iron de ciency [1,7]. While extensive research has examined the link between iron overload and bone metabolism [17][18][19][20], investigations into the impact of iron de ciency on bone metabolism are insu cient [21,22].…”

A novel NIR fluorescent probe for in situ visualizing Fe(ii) and its application in drug-induced liver/kidney injury

“…Labile iron with weak protein binding ability aggregates in the labile iron pool (LIP), exhibiting high redox activity. 1–6 In the microenvironment of cells, intracellular Fe 3+ can be reduced to Fe 2+ by ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione (GSH). 7,8 To maintain the ordinary function of cells in the organism, Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ need to be in equilibrium.…”