STUDIES ON IRON METABOLISM OF INJURED LIVER

(1) The average plasma iron level was 95 (58-139) γ/dl in eighteen healthy persons, 242 (128-635) γ/dl in fifty-seven patients with acute hepatitis, 87 (35-153) γ/dl in seventeen patients with liver cirrhos's, and 105 (47-147) γ/dl in twelve patients with obstructive jaundice.(2) In the patients with acute hepatitis, correlation between plasma iron level and B.SP. was found, but no correlation between plasma iron level and icterus in ex, C.C.F., cholesterol ester ratio were found.(3) The hypersideremia was also observed in toxic hepatitis of dog with CCl4 as well as human viral hepatitis. Granting that the mechanism of both hypersideremia is the same, the following conclusion is obtained from the several experiments, especially using the hepatic venous catheterization. The reticuloendothelial system of the whole body is functionally blocked by phagocytosis of necrotic substances, which followed the necrosis of liver cell. It may be safe to say that under such a condition a little iron released into blood can not completely be treated, so that the hypersideremia is caused.