Hepatotoxic iron storage in patients with chronic hepatitis C but no hepatic iron detectable histochemically

The accumulation of iron plays a role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C. Therefore, even slight excesses of iron should be measured if possible. Eight patients were entered in this study who were negative for histochemical tests for iron in the liver. X-ray microanalysis showed that all eight patients had iron stored as scattered hepatocyte hemosiderin. Hemosiderin iron index expressed as the Fe X-ray count was correlated with serum ferritin levels. Phlebotomy reduced serum aminotransferase levels. Thus, the serum ferritin level is an index of excess iron that potentiates viral-induced hepatotoxicity in chronic hepatitis C.