Decreased mucosal iron induces an increase in intestinal iron absorption in the early stage of iron-deficiency

To investigate the contribution of non-heme iron and ferritin in the intestinal mucosa in regulating intestinal iron absorption during the early stage of iron-deficiency, we performed an in vivo study using rats fed an iron-deficient diet. Intestinal iron absorption was measured using the ligated in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2000-10, Vol.20 (10), p.1457-1465
Main Authors: Mikami, Toshio, Hisayasu, Sanae, Ikeda-More, Yuki, Yoshino, Yoshio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Ferritin
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Intestinal Iron Absorption
Intestine. Mesentery
Iron
Iron-deficiency
Non-heme Iron
Vertebrates: digestive system
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Summary:To investigate the contribution of non-heme iron and ferritin in the intestinal mucosa in regulating intestinal iron absorption during the early stage of iron-deficiency, we performed an in vivo study using rats fed an iron-deficient diet. Intestinal iron absorption was measured using the ligated intestine method. Rats fed the iron-deficient diet for 2 days showed no change in hematological parameter values (blood hemoglobin, plasma iron, the total iron binding capacity) and no change in the content of non-heme iron and ferritin in the liver. However, uptake of iron into the mucosa (mucosal uptake) and transfer of iron from mucosal cells to blood (serosal transfer) was significantly increased compared with the initial levels. At that time, the content of non-heme iron in the mucosa significantly decreased, however, no significant change in mucosal ferritin was observed. Extending the period of feeding the iron-deficient diet resulted in a small additional decrease in the level of mucosal non-heme iron, but led to no significant increase in mucosal uptake and serosal transfer. These findings suggest that a decrease in non-heme iron content in the intestinal mucosa may induce an increase in intestinal iron absorption during the early stage of iron-deficiency. In addition, it was evident that there is an upper limit in intestinal iron absorption. This limit in iron absorption may play a role in preventing iron-overload in the body.
ISSN:0271-5317
1879-0739
DOI:10.1016/S0271-5317(00)80026-3