The researchers report that a compound that was frequently used to treat high blood pressure can reverse iron overload in mouse models and has the potential to treat similar conditions in humans. Excess iron can lead to organ failure and even death if not treated before irreversible damage has occurred.
The researchers discovered that nifedipine; a substance commonly used to control blood pressure helps the body deal with too much iron.
The scientists found that nifedipine exerts its effect on iron metabolism by acting on a molecule called DMT-1. DMT-1 transports iron across cell membranes. This transport is increased ten to 100-fold by nifedipine, but how exactly the compound brings about its effect is still unknown.
“Understanding the exact molecular mechanism underlying nifedipine’s effect on iron transport would be a big step towards developing it into an effective therapy that can be used on patients,” said Martina Muckenthaler, an EMBL alumna who is now at the University of Heidelberg.
“Taking nifedipine from bench to bedside could be quicker than for other substances, because it has already been used for years to treat patients with high blood pressure. From this we know the drug and its side effects.”
The researchers said an important step in advancing the drug to clinic will be targeted pharmacological modifications of the compound to separate nifedipine’s effect on iron metabolism from its established action on blood pressure.