Alcohol iron absorption

In rural sub-Saharan Africa, there is a kind of beer which is traditionally brewed in iron vats. The daily iron overload can amount to as much as 200 mg with markedly increased iron absorption (T.H. Bothwell et at, 1965). Such a condition is also observed in South Africa among the black population. Their diet consists of porridge fermented in iron pots with an acid pH value (V.R. Gordeuk et al., 1986). In both conditions, absorption of iron is facilitated by various factors, e. g. protein or vitamin C deficiency, alcohol abuse, acidic diet. It has been suggested that such iron overload is triggered by genetic factors. (437)... 

Mycobactin-P is a molecule of molecular weight 925.9 which readily forms a red-brown complex ion with iron (absorption maximum at 4450 A) which is quite soluble in chloroform and somewhat less soluble in alcohol. It is insoluble in water. The ferrimycobactin is extremely stable with pK 30. Mossbauer experiments have been done (37) on the frozen alcohol solution and the data were fit using the spin Hamiltonian [Eq. (3)]. The best agreement with fi= 0 was obtained with. 0=0.34 cm-1, A =0/0 =0.27, AE =—0.76 mm/sec, and A =221 kOe unit spin... 

Properties SI. colored powd. orwh. cryst. sol. in water Insol. in alcohol m.w. 245.96 Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes Uses Nutrient supplement in foods, infant formulas, intravenous pharmaceuticals diagnostic aid radiopharmaceutical iron absorption... 

Alcoholism may, at its mature stage, be associated with the development of cirrhosis and pancreatic fibrosis. Under those conditions, approximately 50% of the patients have increased hemosiderin levels. Hemosiderosis is usually associated with increased stores of lead and calcium and reduced zinc and aluminum. When iron is stored, the symptoms and histological picture are similar to what is observed in familial hemochromatosis. Of course, a hereditary factor involving iron absorption or transport may be responsible for iron storage in the liver in a number of chronic alcoholics. 

Inorganic iron is absorbed only in the Fe (reduced) form. This means that a variety of reducing agents present in the intestinal lumen together with dietary iron will enhance its absorption. The most effective such compound is vitamin C (section 11.14.4.1) and, although intakes of 40-60 mg of vitamin C per day are more than adequate to meet requirements, an intake of 25-50 mg per meal is sometimes recommended to enhance iron absorption. Alcohol and fructose also enhance iron absorption. 

Fermentation— The production of wines from grapes and other fruits appears to render minerals like iron more available for absorption. Alcoholic iron tonics have long been used to treat anemia. Also, alcoholic fermentation by yeast may convert the inorganic chromium which is present in various fermentable materials to the glucose tolerance factor (GTF)—an organic form of chromium that acts with insulin to lower the blood sugar. 

Alcoholism may also increase the toxicity of certain dietary minerals by causing alterations in the ways in which the body absorbs, utilizes, and excretes these substances. For example, iron deposits in organs such as the liver, pancreas, and spleen may sometimes result from the enhancement of iron absorption by alcohol. Similarly, a moderate to heavy consumption of alcohol appears to have contributed to the cobalt poisoning of certain beer drinkers, because the amounts of cobalt ingested by these people were less than the doses of the mineral which have been used medicinally without such ill effects. ... 

Ferric mycobactin P obtained by treatment of a chloroform solution of mycobactin with ferric chloride. Brown, hexagonal plates from alcoholic solvents, m. p. 199-201°. C47H720ioN5Fe. Absorption maximum at 4450 A with amM = 3.78. Iron removed by extraction of a chloroform solution of ferric mycobactin with 5N HC1 addition of ether gives mycobactin P as a white powder. 

Ferroverdin can be crystallized following chromatography on alumina. C3oH2o08N2Fe-H20. No decomp. <300°. Moderately soluble in alcoholic solvents, sparingly soluble in ether and practically insoluble in water. Rf in n-butanol-pyridine-water 60 40 30, 0.91. Rt values known in three other solvents. Absorption peaks in the visible at approximately 4300 and 6750 A with amM = 8.2 and 8.8, respectively. Iron is diamagnetic (36) and resistant to EDTA, dipyridyl, ortho-phenanthroline and l-nitroso-2-napthol-3,6-disulfonic acid. The color is discharged with Na2S204 and other reductants but is unaffected by various oxidative treatments. 

Graham also found palladium sponge to exhibit a selective absorption for alcohol in preference to water, a power not manifested either by platinum sponge or by spongy iron. For example, palladium sponge was left in contact with a mixture of alcohol and water in a sealed tube for two days. At the expiration of this time the supernatant liquid was removed and found to contain less alcohol, whilst the portion retained by the palladium contained more alcohol in proportion than the original mixture. 

Carbon tetrachloride is colorless, heavy, non-flammable liquid with a characteristic odor. It has a boiling point of 78 Celsius, and a melting point of -23 Celsius. Carbon tetrachloride is insoluble in water, but miscible with alcohol, benzene, chloroform, ether, and carbon disulfide. Carbon tetrachloride is a potential poison, and inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption should be avoided at all cost. Carbon tetrachloride may be a carcinogen. It is prepared on an industrial scale by the chlorination of methane, but can be conveniently prepared by reacting chlorine with carbon disulfide in the presence of iron fillings the carbon tetrachloride is recovered by distillation. 

Ferrous chloride in acid solution is partially oxidised by sulphur dioxide to the ferric salt, sulphur being deposited.2 Solutions of ferrous chloride in various solvents such as water, alcohol, ethylacetate, pyridine, etc., absorb nitric oxide, the extent of absorption depending upon the concentration of the iron salt, the temperature, gaseous pressure, and the nature of the solvent. The limit of absorption is reached with one molecule of NO to one atom of iron. Presumably the compound FeCl2.NO exists in solution, most probably combined with the solvent.3 It has not as yet been isolated.4... 

Both the aqueous and alcoholic solutions of ferrous bromide absorb nitric oxide,2 the limit of absorption being reached with one molecule of NO to each atom of iron. The compound FeBr2.NO has not been isolated. 

ALCOHOL MINERALS Regular intake of alcohol could cause depletion of iron, zinc, magnesium and selenium. Alcoholic drinks such as wine and whisky may have high or potentially toxic contents of the toxic element cadmium Attributed to l absorption or L intake of nutrients Be a ware. Monitor cadmium levels as well as plasma levels of other minerals... 

Alcohol can stimulate the absorption of iron, probably because it increases gastric acid secretion. Gastric acid enhances the solubility of ferric iron, thereby enhancing its absorbability. St>me alcoholics suffer from iron-deficiency anemia others absorb too much iron, resulting in excess iron stores. 

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