SUMMARYWe studied the development of nutritional iron deficiency 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 days after the intake of a semisynthetic diet lacking iron (diet 0) and the possible interactions with calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in both control rats and rats after 40 days of iron deficiency. During this period, iron deficiency was found to produce stress in the rats, as evidenced by high levels of cortisol in the serum. High levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) were also found. There was a considerable increase in the absorption of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, but the phosphorus and magnesium balance decreased and that of calcium remained practically unchanged, although there was an increase in calcium urinary elimination. Despite the noticeable degree of bone demineralization, which was evident in the femur, serum levels of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium remained constant. The present study shows that severe nutritional ferropenic anaemia provokes significant alterations in the metabolism of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. We conclude that these alterations should be taken into account in the treatment of this pathology, given its prevalence and the fact that it may exacerbate other pathologies, particularly those related to the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus.

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The effects of iron deficiency on the absorption of different dietary sources of iron were studied, together with the interactions between iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and zinc in the jejunum-ileum of control and iron-deficient rats. In this study, three perfusion solutions containing different iron sources: ferric citrate, haemoglobin, and equal parts of ferric citrate and haemoglobin were used. In addition, the same perfusion solutions were used with and without 2,4-dinitrophenol, an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation. Iron absorption in anaemic rats was greater than in the controls, except after perfusion with solutions containing haemoglobin. The absorption of calcium, copper and zinc in iron-deficient animals was not significantly affected, while the absorption of phosphorus and magnesium increased, with respect to animals in the control group. After perfusion with solutions containing haemoglobin, the absorption values of calcium, copper and zinc were lower than after ferric citrate in both groups (control and iron-deficient rats).

SummaryThis paper examines the development of iron (Fe)deficiency and its possible interactions with trace elements such as zinc IZn) and copper (Cu) by investigating iron-deficient and control rats. The effects of iron deficiency were studied at day 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 in rats fed on an iron-free diet (diet ID). It was found that the critical period in the development of nutritional iron deficiency occurs after 30 to 40 days without iron supplementation. At this time the organism is unable to maintain haemoglobin levels without endangering the iron-dependent enzymatic groups which are essential for life. It was also demonstrated that in a situation of iron deficiency, there occurs a greater absorption of copper, while that of zinc remains unchanged. As iron deficiency progresses, the levels of copper in the spleen and the sternum increase. It is apparent that iron deficiency provokes more marked alterations in the metabolism of copper than of zinc.