Systemic iron and zinc homeostasis

Systemic iron and zinc homeostasis is a coordinated physiological process essential for maintaining the concentrations of these trace elements within narrow physiological limits. Iron is a critical component of hemoglobin and various enzymes, and its systemic levels are primarily controlled by the hepcidin-ferroportin axis, where the liver-derived hormone hepcidin regulates the export of iron into the circulation (Nemeth & Ganz, 2021, Hamatologica). Zinc serves as a vital structural and catalytic cofactor for over 3,000 proteins and is regulated by the ZIP (SLC39A) and ZnT (SLC30A) transporter families, which manage cellular influx and efflux, respectively (Kambe et al., 2015, Physiological Reviews). These two metal systems are interconnected; for example, the transporter ZIP14 (SLC39A14) can facilitate the uptake of both zinc and non-transferrin-bound iron, particularly during states of iron overload (Jenkitkasemwong et al., 2015, Cell Metabolism). Dysregulation of these homeostatic mechanisms leads to significant clinical pathologies, including iron-deficiency anemia, hereditary hemochromatosis, and zinc deficiency syndromes. Pharmacological management typically focuses on restoring balance through mineral supplementation, chelation therapy, or emerging biologics that target the regulatory hormones of the metal transport machinery (Camaschella et al., 2020, Nature Reviews Disease Primers).

Other names

Iron and zinc metabolismTrace element homeostasisMetal ion regulationMicronutrient homeostasis

Therapeutic intervention involves the direct supplementation of deficient metal ions, the use of chelating agents to sequester and remove excess metals, or the modulation of regulatory pathways such as the hepcidin-ferroportin axis to correct systemic distribution imbalances.