Magnetic nanoparticles-loaded liposomes as a novel treatment agent for iron deficiency anemia: In vivo study

• Published in: Life sciences (1973) 2019-10, Vol.234, p.116787-116787, Article 116787
• Main Authors: Fathy, Mohamed M., Fahmy, Heba M., Balah, Asmaa M.M., Mohamed, Faten F., Elshemey, Wael M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescents; Anemia; Animal models; Bioavailability; Bleeding; Blood circulation; Children; Ferrous sulfate; Formulations; Hematological parameters; Hematology; In vivo methods and tests; Infants; Iron; Iron compounds; Iron deficiency; Iron deficiency anemia; Iron oxides; Iron sulfates; Kidneys; Liposome; Liposomes; Magnetic nanoparticles; Nanoparticles; Nutrient deficiency; Oral administration; Parameters; Pregnancy; Public health; Side effects; Spleen; Thin films
• ISSN: 0024-3205; 1879-0631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116787

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a major worldwide public health problem. This is due to its prevalence among infants, children, adolescents, pregnant and reproductive age women. Ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) is the first line therapy for iron IDA. Unfortunately, it is reported that FeSO4 suffers from low absorption rate in the body and itself exhibits severe side effects. Herein, iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles-loaded liposomes (LMNPs) are prepared, characterized and evaluated as a treatment regimen for IDA in Wistar rats (as an animal model). Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are prepared and loaded into liposomes using the thin film hydration method. The size of the prepared formulations is in the range 10–100 nm, thus it can avoid the reticular endothelial system (RES), and increased their blood circulation time. For in vivo assessment, thirty-five Wistar rats are divided into 5 groups (n = 7): negative control group, positive control group, and three groups treated with different iron formulations (FeSO4, MNPs and LMNPs). Anemia is induced in the anemic groups by the bleeding method and then treatment started with different iron compounds administrated orally for 13 days. Hematological parameters are followed up during the treatment period. Results indicate that, in the LMNPs group, the hematological parameters turn to normal values and the histopathological structures of the liver, spleen and kidney remain normal. This proves that liposome increases the bioavailability of MNPs. In conclusion, LMNPs demonstrate superiority as a therapeutic regimen for the treatment of IDA among the tested iron formulations.