Journal of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems
Open Access

Abstract

Iron Liposome: A more Effective Iron Supplement for Sports Anemia and Anemia of Inflammation

Pan-Pan Yu, Yan-Zhong Chang and Peng Yu

Anemia is such a serious global health problem that it has aroused the focus of the world. Anemia is characterized by decreased number of red blood cells (RBC), lower haemoglobin concentrations or even altered RBC morphology. Due to the critical role of iron in the production of haemoglobin and RBC, iron-deficiency is often accompanied with anemia. In general, it is recommended to supplement iron formulations when iron is deficiency in anemia patients. However, sports anemia and anemia of inflammation (AI) cannot be treated with traditional iron supplements because the iron cannot be absorbed adequately resulting from the decreased expression of iron uptake and exported proteins in duodenum. Therefore, new types of iron supplements should be designed to prevent or treat iron deficiency in sports anemia and AI. Iron liposome is a new type of iron supplement that can be absorbed without the limitation of iron uptake and export proteins. Iron liposome has the superiority of liposome that can cross the duodenum through membrane fusion, membrane diffusion or phagocytosis. This review mainly covers the advantage and usage of iron liposomes in the prevention and treatment of sports anemia and AI. This will shed light on the application of iron liposomes in clinic in future.