QUANTIFICATION OF NON-TRANSFERRIN BOUND IRON IN HUMAN SERUM BY ISOTOPE DILUTION MASS SPECTROMETRY

Abstract

Non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) in human serum has been proven to be a source of oxidative stress as its reactivity is not shielded by proteins. Due to the complex nature and low concentration of serum NTBI, there is still not a gold standard method for NTBI quantification. In this thesis, a novel assay using isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) was developed for NTBI analysis in human serum. The use of IDMS allows more accurate measurements of NTBI in the serum than by conventional techniques. The newly developed assay was subsequently employed to evaluate the generation of serum NTBI in response to iron supplementation or a meal high in bioavailable iron in healthy subjects. And results point to high iron status as a promoter of oxidative stress in humans and red meat can induce occurrence of NTBI in human serum.