The effect of riboflavin deficiency in rats on the absorption and distribution of iron

• Published in: British journal of nutrition 1988-05, Vol.59 (3), p.381-387
• Main Authors: Powers, Hilary J., Wright, A. J. A., Fairweather-tait, Susan J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: absorption; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Transport; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Intestinal Absorption; Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism; iron; Iron - pharmacokinetics; Organ Size; Rats; riboflavin; Riboflavin Deficiency - metabolism; Tissue Distribution; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; vitamin deficiencies
• ISSN: 0007-1145; 1475-2662
• DOI: 10.1079/BJN19880047

1. Riboflavin may play a part in the transport of iron across the gastrointestinal mucosa. Fe absorption was measured in the rat by monitoring whole-body retention of a dose of 59Fe using a small-animal γ-counter. 2. Female Norwegian Hooded rats were fed on a diet deficient in riboflavin (B2−) from 5 weeks of age. Control animals, fed on a complete diet (B2+), were weight-matched to rats fed on the B2− diet. After 7 weeks all rats were fed on a test meal extrinsically labelled with 59Fe and whole-body radioactivity measured for 15 d. 3. Riboflavin deficiency was associated with a reduction in the percentage of the dose absorbed and an increase in the rate of loss of Fe post absorption. 4. A smaller percentage of the absorbed dose was present in the livers of the riboflavin-deficient animals.