Increased cerebral iron uptake in Wilson's disease: a 52Fe-citrate PET study.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

Toxicity of abundant copper is the main cause of brain and liver tissue damage in patients with Wilson's disease (WD). However, there is also evidence of a disturbed iron metabolism in this genetically determined disorder. This PET study was undertaken to assess cerebral iron metabolism in WD patients.

METHODS:

We used 52Fe-citrate, which converts to 52Fe-transferrin in blood plasma, to study basic pharmacokinetic features of the cerebral iron transport in 6 WD patients and in 16 healthy volunteers (control subjects). A 2-tissue-compartment model and multiple time graphic plotting were used to calculate 52Fe-transferrin distribution volumes and transport rates.

RESULTS:

Net iron uptake (Ki) from plasma into brain tissue was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in WD patients (Ki [mean +/- SEM] = 15.1E-05 +/- 7.13E-05 [1/min]) than in healthy volunteers (Ki = 2.66E-05 +/- 0.351E-05 [1/min]). There was no difference of tracer iron distribution in the cerebral plasma volume between patients and healthy volunteers. Iron uptake values resulting from 2 methods to model PET data of patients and healthy volunteers were highly correlated (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

An abnormally increased cerebral 52Fe-transferrin uptake was found in WD patients.

• Authors: M Bruehlmeier, K L Leenders, P Vontobel, C Calonder, A Antonini, A Weindl
• Journal: Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine (J Nucl Med) Vol. 41 Issue 5 Pg. 781-7 (May 2000) ISSN: 0161-5505 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10809192 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ferric Compounds
• Iron Radioisotopes
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Transferrin
• ferric citrate
• Copper
• Iron

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Brain (diagnostic imaging, metabolism)
• Copper (blood)
• Female
• Ferric Compounds
• Hepatolenticular Degeneration (diagnostic imaging, metabolism)
• Humans
• Iron (metabolism)
• Iron Radioisotopes
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Tomography, Emission-Computed
• Transferrin (analysis)