The Oral Iron Chelator Deferiprone Protects Against Systemic Iron Overload–Induced Retinal Degeneration in Hepcidin Knockout Mice

Abstract

Long-term treatment with the oral iron chelator DFP diminished retinal and RPE iron levels and oxidative stress, providing significant protection against retinal degeneration caused by chronic systemic iron overload in Hepc KO mice. This indicates that iron chelation could be a long-term preventive treatment for retinal disease involving iron overload and oxidative stress.