PhD-student April Kartikasari states that iron depletion, reducing the stored body iron, could be beneficial against coronary artery disease. Iron is an immunomodulating factor, that may aggravate atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases.
Kartikasari’s study offers an additional strategy for prevention and therapy of inflamatory diseases. She shows for example which medicines in- or decrease iron uptake. It leads her to conclude that the use of EDTA chelation therapy against coronary artery disease should be reconsidered due to efficacy and safety reasons.
Thesis: ‘Involvement of iron in phagocyte-endothelial interactions: Implications for atherosclerosis’
PhD-advisor: Prof. dr. Joannes J.M. Marx
Co-advisor 1: dr. Niki A. Georgiou
Co- advisor 2: dr. Frank L.J. Visseren
13 February 2006 04:15 PM, Academiegebouw, Domplein 29, Utrecht