Location of iron and porphyrin in the liver in porphyria cutanea tarda.

Porphyrin and iron distributions in the liver biopsies of patients with Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) were investigated by comparison of composite photographs from fluorescence microscope and after iron stain. Three distinct areas are visible: 1. red fluorescent areas with porphyrins; 2. blue areas corresponding to iron; 3. areas with neither iron nor porphyrin. The areas with iron or porphyrin do not overlap, therefore, this experiment indicates lack of direct correlation between iron and prophyrin distribution in livers of PCT patients.