Paper Title
Ferritin: Friend or Foe in Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract
Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common nutritional anaemia worldwide. Yet, it is also known today that elevated body iron stores can lead to pathology. Increased iron stores have been associated with high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, metabolic syndrome and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Emerging evidence suggests that there is a strong link between type 2 diabetes mellitus and high body iron levels. The chemical structure of iron facilitates its role in the formation of reactive oxygen species. Superoxide has the ability of releasing iron from ferritin and the released iron can result in hydroxyl formation. The beta-cells are particularly susceptible to oxidative stress, which in turn culminates in pancreatic beta-cell damage resulting in decreased insulin secretion, insulin resistance and sub¬sequently type 2 diabetes mellitus. Free radical species are key players in both myocardial ischaemic and reperfusion injuries. Part of the inflammatory response is elevated levels of fibrinogen. This influences the coagulation process, as in the presence of high fibrinogen, it causes abnormal fibrin fibre formation. These morphological abnormalities are best visualised by scanning electron microscopy. Abnormal ultrastructural features caused by high ferritin levels in the red blood cells and fibrin fibres are shown. Index Terms - Ferritin, Diabetes, Ferritin, Inflammation, Morphology.