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Study of Inorganic crystalline solids in biosystems - Magnetite in the human body

Kobayashi, Atsuko and Yamamoto, Naoichi and Kirschvink, J. L. (1996) Study of Inorganic crystalline solids in biosystems - Magnetite in the human body. Journal of the Japan Society of Powder Metallurgy, 43 (11). pp. 1354-1360. ISSN 0532-8799. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20130118-134900365

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Abstract

Ferritin, the iron storage nonhaeme-protein contains a ball of hydrated iron oxides (Fe_2O_3⋅nH_2O) in its core, which is paramagnetic at room temperature. It is reported the hydrated iron oxide is the precursor of magnetite (Fe_3O_4) in the magnetotactic bacteria and polyplacophoran mollusks. It is not known whether this is the case for other organisms. In our study, we report the first detection of magnetic material in the human brain through the use of SQUID magnetometry. The material was characterized by HRTEM and EPMA. It was affirmed the material was a single crystals of magnetite. Magnetite distribution in tissues might be related with ferritin, if the core of these molecules are involved in magnetite formation in human. In general, both Perls staining and MRlmaging methods are adopted routinely for determining the relative amounts of Fe(+III) in the whole brain, which is dominated by ferritin. Both methods suggested high levels of Fe(+III) distribution in the globus pallidum, putamen, caudate, internal cerebral capsule of the cerebrum, red nucleus of the mid brain and lower concentrations in the substantia nigra of the mid brain and the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum. Whereas, our experiments showed that the distribution of magnetite is rather even in the whole human brain averaging 4 ng per gram of tissue (except for the meninges, where it is 20 times higher).


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/jjspm/43/11/_contentsPublisherUNSPECIFIED
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Kirschvink, J. L.0000-0001-9486-6689
Additional Information:© 1996 Japan Society of Powder and Powder Metallurgy. Received May 14, 1996.
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NIHGM-41635
NSFDMR-8811795
Issue or Number:11
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20130118-134900365
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20130118-134900365
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:36483
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:23 Jan 2013 00:03
Last Modified:24 Jan 2020 22:19

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