Investigations into the systemic production of aldehyde-derived peroxidation products in a murine model of acute iron poisoning: a dose response study

Acute iron poisoning remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pre-school aged children in North America. Acute iron poisoning leads to organ damage, such as respiratory difficulties, cardiac arrhythmias, and possible death. The mechanism of iron toxicity is not fully understood, though it is thought that free iron is able to catalyze the production of harmful oxygen free radicals, which can damage all biochemical classes including lipid membranes, proteins, and DNA. Accordingly, we hypothesized that acute iron loading results in dose-dependent increases in oxygen free radical production, as quantified by the cytotoxic aldehydes hexanal, 4-hydroxynonenal, and malondialdehyde, in an experimental murine model. In support of our hypothesis, significant dose-dependent increases in all aldehydes investigated were reported in comparison to controls (p < 0.001). This murine model will assist in providing a better understanding of possible mechanism(s) of injury and organ dysfunction following acute iron poisoning, and for the development and evaluation of treatment regimes.