(A. St.-Hil.) leaf infusion decreases iron absorption in patients with hereditary hemochromatosis: a randomized controlled crossover study

• Published in: Food & function 2021-08, Vol.12 (16), p.7321-7328
• Main Authors: Pagliosa, Cristiane Manfé, Vieira, Francilene Gracieli Kunradi, Dias, Bruno Vieira, Brognoli Franco, Vivian Karla, Ramos, Hanna Pillmann, da Silva, Edson Luiz
• Format: Article
• ISSN: 2042-6496; 2042-650X
• DOI: 10.1039/d1fo00482d

This study proposed to investigate the effect of Ilex paraguariensis infusion on the absorption of non-heme iron in hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) patients with the HFE genotype. A two-way randomized, controlled, crossover trial was conducted on patients, aged 29-69 years, undergoing maintenance therapy. Fourteen HFE -HH patients ingested a meal containing 11.4 mg iron and 200 mL either of water (control) or of Ilex paraguariensis leaf infusion. The beverages were offered in random order, at intervals separated by a washout period of 7 days. Active surveillance showed no adverse effects. Blood samples were drawn shortly before and 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after the meal for serum iron measurement. A significant reduction in the postprandial serum iron was observed for HH patients after intake of the Ilex paraguariensis infusion (area under the curve (AUC) expressed as mean ± SEM: 173.3 ± 44.7 μmol h −1 L −1 ) compared to water (1449.4 ± 241.5 μmol h −1 L −1 ) ( p < 0.001). In summary, intake of Ilex paraguariensis leaf infusion significantly inhibited the absorption of iron in patients with HH and, therefore, should be considered as a potential adjuvant for iron overload control. The acute intake of Ilex paraguariensis leaf infusion significantly inhibited the absorption of non-heme iron in hereditary hemochromatosis patients with the HFE genotype and should be considered as a potential adjuvant for iron overload control.