These metal ions and especially iron play a central role in important physiological processes such as oxygen transport and utilization, respiration and also other processes involving the metabolism of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. The important role of these essential metal ions is an integral part of enzymes and proteins, as well as that of transcription factors and other co-factors which secure the normal growth and development of the body. Deficiencies or excesses of these metal ions, as well as abnormalities in their metabolism may cause serious diseases and mortality. Iron, copper, zinc, cobalt, chromium, manganese, molybdenum and selenium are essential metal ions and nutrients, which play an important role in maintaining normal healthy living in humans. Deferiprone, deferoxamine, deferasirox and other chelating drugs can offer therapeutic solutions for most diseases associated with iron metabolism including iron overload and deficiency, neurodegeneration and cancer, the detoxification of xenobiotic metals and most diseases associated with free radical pathology. The interaction of iron and iron-containing proteins with dietary and xenobiotic molecules, including drugs, may affect iron metabolic and disease processes. Iron is the most common catalyst of free radical production and oxidative stress which are implicated in tissue damage in most pathologic conditions, cancer initiation and progression, neurodegeneration and many other diseases. These include iron deficiency, which affects more than a quarter of the world’s population hemoglobinopathies, which are the most common of the genetic disorders and idiopathic hemochromatosis. Abnormalities in iron-containing proteins, iron metabolic pathways and also other associated processes can lead to an array of diseases. The control of the metabolic pathways of iron absorption, utilization, recycling and excretion by iron-containing proteins ensures normal biologic and physiological activity. The diversity of the activity and function of iron and its associated pathologies is based on bond formation with adjacent ligands and the overall structure of the iron complex in proteins or with other biomolecules. Many iron-containing proteins and metabolic pathways play a key role in almost all cellular and physiological functions. Iron is essential for all living organisms.
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