Development of nutritional iron deficiency in growing male rats: haematological parameters, iron bioavailability and oxidative defence

Abstract

Despite Fe deficiency having been widely studied, the sequence of events in its development still remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of nutritional Fe-deficiency development on haematological parameters, Fe bioavailability and the enzymes involved in oxidative defence in recently weaned male Wistar albino rats. Control (C) and Fe-deficient (ID) groups were fed the AIN-93 G diet with a normal Fe level (45 mg/kg diet) or with a low Fe level (5 mg/kg diet), respectively, for 20, 30 or 40 d. At day 20 serum Fe, serum ferritin and the saturation of transferrin decreased drastically, decreasing further in the course of Fe-deficiency development for the saturation of transferrin. The development of Fe deficiency did not affect plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance production, or catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in erythrocyte cytosol. Fe deficiency diminished hepatic Fe content and CAT and GPx activities in hepatic cytosol only at day the 20. However, in spite of the minor Fe deposits in the brain of ID rats, the CAT and GPx activities in the brain cytosolic fraction did not differ in any of the studied periods v. control rats. These results show that brain is a tissue that does not seem to depend on Fe levels for the maintenance of antioxidant defence mechanisms in the course of nutritional Fe deficiency.

Folic acid supplemented goat milk has beneficial effects on hepatic physiology, haematological status and antioxidant defence during chronic Fe repletion

“…On the other hand, ROS play a key role in several pathways of the nervous system, while antioxidants neutralise the oxidative stress (Uttara et al 2009). The role of antioxidant defence in the brain is not clear and, in this sense, some authors report that the brain is not enriched in antioxidant defences (Uttara et al 2009), while other studies report that antioxidants (enzymatic and/or non-enzymatic) protect the brain against induced oxidative damage (Ozturk et al 2005), although the presence of antioxidant enzymes CAT, GPx and SOD in brain region has been previously documented (Alférez et al 2011). In the current study, in brain and erythrocyte, folate-supplementation led to a reduction in the antioxidant enzymes studied, supporting earlier reports which suggest that the function of the key intracellular antioxidant enzymes may be interdependent (Valko et al 2007).…”

Structural differences of prebiotic oligosaccharides influence their capability to enhance iron absorption in deficient rats

“…In this period of treatment (15 days) there were not provoked changes in the hematocrit, which have been reported to occur after 20 days in animals under a Fedeficient diet. 22…”

Rice and Bean Targets for Biofortification Combined with High Carotenoid Content Crops Regulate Transcriptional Mechanisms Increasing Iron Bioavailability

“…However, there is a need to assess the effect of interactions between biofortified foods consumed in the same diet [ 5 ], since the concomitant intake of foods influences the bioavailability of nutrients. Moreover, increased consumption of iron [ 6 ] and vitamins can influence the content and activity of antioxidant enzymes [ 7 , 8 ].…”