Absorption of therapeutic preparations of iron measured with a whole body counter

The Oxford Whole Body Counter was used to measure absorption from various therapeutic preparations of iron in five groups of subjects. Succinic acid enhanced absorption of iron when added to a solution of ferrous fumarate, but not when given with tablets of ferrous fumarate or ferrous sulphate. Ferrous fumarate plus ascorbic acid was absorbed better than ferrous fumarate alone but no better than ferrous sulphate. The addition of ascorbic acid and succinic acid to tablets of ferrous sulphate did not enhance absorption significantly.     

Quick- and slow-release iron: A double-blind trial with a single daily dose regimen

In a double-blind trial the response to treatment with Ferro-Gradume (a slow-release preparation of ferrous sulphate) has been compared in the same individuals with the response to ferrous fumarate in a single daily dose regimen using a similar dose of iron. No significant difference was found in the therapeutic response or in the incidence of side-effects between the two preparations.     

Iron bioavailability from Spirulina platensis, whole egg and whole wheat.

Bioavailability of iron from Spirulina was assessed in comparison with whole egg, whole wheat and standard ferrous sulphate using haemoglobin depletion repletion assay. Haemoglobin regeneration efficiency of Spirulina and whole egg was similar and significantly higher than that of whole wheat. The absorption of iron from Spirulina was significantly lower than that of ferrous sulphate and whole egg but significantly greater than that from whole wheat.     

Influence of dietary protein type and iron source on the absorption of amino acids and minerals

The apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of amino acids and the balance of minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron) has been determined in rats fed four diets differing in the protein type (casein or soy protein) and iron source (ferrous sulphate or lactate) in order to study the possible interactions of these nutrients. The availability of amino acids, especially essential amino acids, was greater in the diet made with animal protein (casein). The iron source also affected the absorption of most amino acids in all the diets assayed with ferrous sulphate being greater. The balance of iron, magnesium and phosphorus was higher in the diets containing animal protein. The retention of calcium and magnesium was significantly greater when ferrous sulphate was used as iron source. These results demonstrate the important interaction between amino acids and minerals and between the minerals themselves, which must be carefully studied when selecting different types of protein or mineral sources in human or animal nutrition.     

Bile and the absorption of strontium and iron

1. Strontium absorption was studied in vivo with loops of ileum in rachitic chicks and found to be increased by vitamin D(3), bile salts and sodium lauryl sulphate. 2. Bile salts and sodium lauryl sulphate rendered strontium soluble in butanol-benzene (1:1, v/v). 3. Bile was not concerned in the absorption of iron in rats from its water-soluble form, ferrous sulphate. 4. Ligation of the bile ducts in rats caused a decrease in the absorption of iron presented as its sparingly soluble phosphate. 5. The effect of bile on cation absorption is discussed.     

Coprophagy in iron-deficient rats: II. 2 novel methods of prevention

2 novel methods of coprophagy prevention were used in iron-deficient rats to measure their effect on haemoglobin regeneration during the feeding of ferrous sulphate or several soya proteins. Neck collars produced considerable weight loss and depression in food intake compared to aluminium anal cups which were tolerated well. Both methods of coprophagy prevention reduced iron availability from a range of soya proteins and ferrous sulphate and it is suggested that the practice of coprophagy in iron-deficient and possibly iron-replete rats may overestimate iron (and possibly other mineral) absorption (retention) studies.     

On the effect of ferrous sulphate on the available manganese in the soil and the uptake of manganese by the plant

Summary Application of iron as ferrous sulphate or chloride to a loam not deficient in manganese had no effect on the yield but increased the uptake of manganese even in barley which grew vigorously.In an experiment with sugar beet on two soils contrasted with regard to their available manganese supply, applications of manganese, iron and nitrogen were tested in all combinations. On the Købelev soil, not deficient in manganese, no increases in yields were obtained on addition of ferrous sulphate while increases in manganese uptake were found for all combinations of treatments except where iron was added in the presence of manganese.On the manganese deficient Faarevejle soil, significantly higher increases in yields of roots were obtained from ferrous sulphate in the presence of nitrogen than in the presence of manganese. The effect of iron in the presence of nitrogen on the yield of tops was also significant. These treatments also gave the highest increases in manganese uptake.The amounts of manganese extractable from the soils by magnesium nitrate over a range of pH 2–8 could be increased considerably by addition of ferrous sulphate.The results support the suggestion that application of ferrous sulphate to some soils has the same effect as an addition of manganese.     

On the effect of ferrous sulphate on the available manganese in the soil and the uptake of manganese by the plant II

Summary Pot experiments with oats on manganese deficient sandy and moor soils, which are not deficient in iron, showed a steady increase in yield and manganese uptake by the plants with increasing additions of ferrous sulphate at four levels of manganese. Residual effects from ferrous sulphate application were not found either in the case of yields or manganese uptake by oats on a sandy soil.The effect observed following application of ferrous sulphate was due to a manganese effect. This is corroborated by the coincidence of the yield curves, showing the relationship between absorbed manganese and yield of dry matter, following the application of manganese sulphate and ferrous sulphate.Soils treated withM magnesium nitrate in the presence of equivalent quantities of either ferrous sulphate or hydroquinone yielded the same amounts of manganese. This result suggests that the manganese effect of ferrous sulphate is due to reduction of higher manganese oxides by ferrous sulphate.     

Regulatory role of iron and EDTA in the shoot development from the epicotyl explants of Syzygium cuminii

Iron has proved to be an integral component of the culture medium supporting the caulogenic response of the epicotyl segments of S. cuminii. In the absence of both the iron and EDTA even the shoot buds failed to develop, while in the presence of either of these, though the shoot buds developed, their elongation was adversely affected. Among the three iron sources tested, ferrous sulphate proved to be the best, as the ferric chloride was not as effective as the former when used either alone or along with EDTA. Ferric citrate, on the other hand, when provided alone, elicited better response than that induced by ferrous sulphate alone. However, in combination with EDTA, the response declined significantly. The estimation of endogenous levels of iron in the explants further supported these results. The quantum of iron absorption was at a maximum during the first week of the culture and the explants, once deprived of iron during the first week, failed to catch up to the level of iron accumulated in the explants maintained continuously on complete medium, even after transfer to the complete medium. Likewise, the level of copper ions did not come up to comparable levels even if the explants were transferred to the complete medium after initial deprivation.     

The influence of lactoferrin, orally administered, on systemic iron homeostasis in pregnant women suffering of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia

Iron is a fundamental element for humans as it represents an essential component of many proteins and enzymes. However, this element can also be toxic when present in excess because of its ability to generate reactive oxygen species. This dual nature imposes a tight regulation of iron concentration in the body. In humans, systemic iron homeostasis is mainly regulated at the level of intestinal absorption and, until now, no regulated pathways for the excretion of iron have been found. The regulation and maintenance of systemic iron homeostasis is critical to human health. Excessive iron absorption leads to iron-overload in parenchyma, while low iron absorption leads to plasma iron deficiency, which manifests as hypoferremia (iron deficiency, ID) and ID anaemia (IDA). ID and IDA are still a major health problem in pregnant women. To cure ID and IDA, iron supplements are routinely prescribed. The preferred treatment of ID/IDA, consisting in oral administration of iron as ferrous sulphate, often fails to exert significant effects on hypoferremia and may also cause adverse effects. Lactoferrin (Lf), an iron-binding glycoprotein abundantly found in exocrine secretions of mammals, is emerging as an important regulator of systemic iron homeostasis. Recent data suggest that this natural compound, capable of interacting with the most important components of iron homeostasis, may represent a valuable alternative to iron supplements in the prevention and cure of pregnancy-associated ID and IDA. In this review, recent advances in the molecular circuits involved in the complex cellular and systemic iron homeostasis will be summarised. The role of Lf in curing ID and IDA in pregnancy and in the maintenance of iron homeostasis will also be discussed. Understanding these mechanisms will provide the rationale for the development of novel therapeutic alternatives to ferrous sulphate oral administration in the prevention and cure of ID and IDA.     

Accumulation of storage iron in patients treated for iron-deficiency anaemia.

The repletion of iron stores after treatment was studied in 38 patients with uncomplicated iron-deficiency anaemia. The serum ferritin concentration rose significantly when oral treatment was continued for two months after the attainment of a normal haemoglobin concentration. Patients treated with a total-dose infusion of iron dextran had thehighest final serum levels, which were significantly greater than in patients given Ferro-Gradumet. Oral ferrous sulphate was almost as effective as parenteral iron in producing iron stores.     

Nutritional Requirements of the Micro-organisms Active in the Oxidation of Ferrous Iron in Acid Mine Leach Liquors

The nutritional requirements for the oxidation of ferrous iron in acid mine water by fixed films of micro-organisms were investigated. Supplementing the mine leach liquor with additional ammonium, phosphate and potassium did not improve the efficiency of ferrous iron oxidation. The minimum non-limiting requirement of the ferrous iron oxidizing organisms for these nutrients was (mg/l): ammonium, 10; phosphate, 45, and potassium, 2·5. A strain of Thiobacillus was isolated which was able to grow on a medium to which only dihydrogen potassium phosphate, ferrous sulphate and agar had been added.     

Nutritional and technological behavior of stabilized iron-gluconate in wheat flour

Food fortification has been shown to be an effective strategy to overcome iron malnutrition. When a new iron compound is developed for this purpose, it must be evaluated from a nutritional and technological point of view before adding it into foods. In this way, we have evaluated ferrous gluconate stabilized by glycine as a new iron source to be used in wheat flour fortification. We performed biological studies in rats as well as sensory perceptions by human subjects in wheat flour fortified with this iron source. The productions of pentane as a rancidity indicator as well as the change of the sensorial properties of the biscuits made with stabilized ferrous gluconate-fortified wheat flour were negligible. Iron absorption in water from this iron source was similar to the reference standard ferrous sulfate. Nevertheless, because of the phytic acid content, iron absorption from fortified wheat flour decrease 40% for both iron sources. The addition of zinc from different sources did not modify iron absorption from ferrous sulfate and stabilized ferrous gluconate in water and wheat flour. The iron absorption mechanism as well as the biodistribution studies demonstrate that the biological behavior of this iron source does not differ significantly from the reference standard. These results demonstrate that the iron source under study has adequate properties to be used in wheat flour fortification. Nevertheless, more research is needed before considering this iron source for its massive use in food fortification.     

Iron Absorption and Blood Loss in Patients with Hiatus Hernia

Iron absorption was measured in 28 patients, 19 of whom were anaemic. The mean absorption in the anaemic patients was 39% and in the non-anaemic patients 8%. Gastrointestinal blood loss was then measured in 26 of these patients. The mean estimated blood loss in the anaemic patients was 15 ml. a day and in the non-anaemic patients 3 ml. a day. In 16 of the 19 anaemic patients symptoms of anaemia were either the sole or the major complaint.     

Effects of fasting and/or oxidizing and reducing agents on absorption of neptunium from the gastrointestinal tract of mice and adult or neonatal rats

Neptunium-237(V) nitrate was administered by gavage to groups of fed or fasted adult and 5-day-old rats. Some groups also received the oxidants quinhydrone or ferric iron, and others received the reducing agent ferrous iron. Adult mice received ferric or ferrous iron and 235Np. When the adult rats were killed at 7 days after gavage, measurements showed that, compared with rats that were fed, a 24-hr fast caused a fivefold increase in 237Np absorption and retention. Both quinhydrone and ferric iron caused an even greater increase in absorption in both fed and fasted rats. Ferrous iron, on the other hand, decreased absorption in fasted rats to values lower than those obtained in fed rats. Similar results were obtained in mice treated with 235Np and either ferric or ferrous iron. The highest absorption obtained after gavage of ferric iron to fasted rats and mice was about two orders of magnitude higher than the value obtained in animals that were fed before gavage. The effects of ferric and ferrous iron on neptunium absorption by neonatal rats were similar to their effects on adult animals but of lesser magnitude. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that Np(V), when given in small mass quantities to fed animals, is reduced in the gastrointestinal tract to Np(IV), which is less well absorbed than Np(V).     

25-Hydroxycholecalciferol absorption in steatorrhoea and postgastrectomy osteomalacia.

Post-absorption levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) after oral administration of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) were measured in 11 subjects. Five had presented with steatorrhoea of various causes while six had post-gastrectomy osteomalacia. Post-absorption levels of 25-OHD were low in four of the patients with steatorrhoea but normal in five of those with post-gastrectomy osteomalacia. There was a significant inverse correlation between peak post-absorption 25-OHD levels and faecal fat excretion. All patients with active post-gastrectomy osteomalacia had subnormal baseline plasma 25-OHD levels, which indicates that the condition is due to a deficiency of vitamin D. Only two of the patients with osteomalacia had estimated dietary vitamin D intakes ofer 1-75 microng/day. These findings suggest that an oral 25-OHD absorption test may be a valuable measure of small intestinal function and that poor dietary vitamin D intake rather than impaired absorption of the vitamin may be the major cause of post-gastrectomy osteomalacia.     

Effect of soil and foliar application of ferrous sulphate and of acidulation of soil on iron chlorosis of paddy seedlings ingoradu soil nurseries in India

Summary Nursery experiments were conducted to determine the cause for the chronic problem of chlorosis in paddy seedlings raised ongoradu soil nurseries of Anand area of Kheda district of Gujarat State and to find out remedial measures for it. The findings are (i) the chlorosis is due to high bicarbonate content of the soil (ii) application of ferrous sulphate to soil at 40 kg Fe/ha increased the survival period of the seedling but did not quite control the chlorosis (iii) spray of 0.4% ferrous sulphate solution twice a week was helpful in partial recovery of the seedlings from chlorosis (iv) acidulation of soil with sulphuric acid about ten days prior to sowing produced very healthy, vigorous and green seedlings of paddy which did not show any signs of chlorosis at all and (v) total and IN HCl-soluble iron content of the shoots did not at all reflect the degree of chlorosis of the paddy seedlings. These results are discussed in the light of current theories of absorption and translocation of iron in plant system and the iron-chlorosis of paddy seedlings ingoradu soils is attributed to both soil and plant factors.     

Iron absorption in gastric and duodenal pathology in patients with iron deficiency anaemias.

Absorption of radioactive iron was studied in 87 patients with different types of iron deficiency anaemias and in 23 healthy subjects. The subjects were given 1...2muci of radiactive iron in the form of FeSO4 together with 5 mg of nonradioactive iron as a carrier and 100 to 150 g of white bread, radioactivity on the whole body being studied with a big liquid scintillation counter 4 pi (BLSC-2). In clinical observations and in single experiments on volunteers there was no conformity of the values of absorption with the levels of acid-formation. But in the same time the gastric juice from an anaemic horse almost doubled iron absorption in healthy individuals. Marked morphological changes in the gastric mucosa inhibited the absorption in the intestine and the degree of increase of absorption in patients with anaemia depended to some extent on the morphological conditions of the gastric mucosa. When healthy subjects and patients with iron deficiency anaemia were given bread "enriched" with iron before baking instead of common bread with "external" mark there was observed similar correlation between the values of absorption but the figures were somewhat lower.     

Evaluation of different iron compounds in chlorotic Italian lemon trees (Citrus lemon).

The severe deficiency of iron or ferric chlorosis is a serious problem of most citrus trees established in calcareous soils, as a result of the low availability of iron in these soils and the poor uptake and limited transport of this nutrient in trees. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of chlorotic Italian lemon trees (Citrus lemon) to the application of iron compounds to roots and stems. On comparing the effects of aqueous solutions of ferric citrate, ferrous sulphate and FeEDDHA chelate, applied to 20% of the roots grown in soil and sand, of trees that were planted in pots containing calcareous soil, it was observed that the chelate fully corrected ferric chlorosis, while citrate and sulphate did not solve the problem. EDDHA induced the root uptake of iron as well as the movement of the nutrient up to the leaves. With the use of injections of ferric solutions into the secondary stem of adult trees, ferric citrate corrected chlorosis but ferrous sulphate did not. The citrate ion expanded the mobility of iron within the plant, from the injection points up to the leaves, whereas the sulphate ion did not sufficiently improve the movement of iron towards the leaf mesophyll.     

Reduction of Reaction due to Iron Dextran Infusion using Chloroquine

The use of promethazine and chloroquine sulphate to reduce reaction to total dose infusion of iron dextran (Imferon) is described. The patients chosen for the investigation were anaemic pregnant African women living in the coastal region of East Africa where malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum is holoendemic. The results show that promethazine has little value in the reduction of reactions whereas chloroquine appears to be effective.