Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating an iron disorder in a patient are presented, including methods for orally administering a recombinant yeast that produces H-ferritin-iron complex or the H-ferritin-iron complex extracted from the yeast. Data indicate that administration of the recombinant yeast more effectively increases hemoglobin, hematocrit and transferrin saturation than an iron-equivalent amount of FeSO4. A recombinant yeast expressing human H-ferritin or H-ferritin-iron complex is also presented.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating an iron disorder in a patient are presented, including methods for delivering a therapeutically effective amount of iron to the brain. Iron disorders that may be treated by these methods include iron deficiency disorders and iron overload disorders. A recombinant yeast expressing human H-ferritin and a composition for treating an iron disorder comprising this recombinant yeast are also presented.

Abstract: The present inventors have demonstrated the presence of H-ferritin receptors on endothelial cells in culture and on rat brain rat brain microvasculature, identifying H-ferritin as a means for transporting iron across the blood brain barrier. The present invention provides a method for treating an iron deficiency disorder in a patient, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a ferritin-iron complex. In an embodiment of the invention, the ferritin-iron complex comprises H-ferritin. In another embodiment, the iron deficiency disorder comprises an iron deficiency in the brain.

Abstract: The present inventors have demonstrated the presence of H-ferritin receptors on endothelial cells in culture and on rat brain rat brain microvasculature, identifying H-ferritin as a means for transporting iron across the blood brain barrier. The present invention provides a method for treating an iron deficiency disorder in a patient, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a ferritin-iron complex. In an embodiment of the invention, the ferritin-iron complex comprises H-ferritin. In another embodiment, the iron deficiency disorder comprises an iron deficiency in the brain.