Effects of Iron Overload on Growth and Intestinal Mucosa in Rats

Abstract

Objective: To detect the mechanism of excess iron intake on growth and intestinal mucosa in rats. Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Low Iron Group, Normal Iron Group, Medium Iron Group and High Iron Group upon daily iron intake of 7mg/kg, 16.8mg/kg, 35mg/kg, 70mg/kg respectively via fodder for eight weeks. The general condition, body weight and food intake were documented simultaneously. Serum level of Ferritin, IL-6 and IL-10 were detected using ELISA. The observation of morphology of intestine was also included concurrently. Results: The weight obtained was significantly lower in the High Iron Group compared with the other three groups while the average weight of the rats in the High Iron Group was lower than the Normal Iron Group. Meanwhile, the average amount food uptake of the High Iron Group had slightly decreased in the eighth week. In addition, the level of IL-6 in small intestine of the High Iron Group is higher than that of the Normal Iron Group (P<0.05), while the level of IL-10 in small intestine of the High Iron Group is lower than that of the Normal Iron Group (P<0.05). The histopathology results showed that normal morphology was found in Low Iron Group and Normal Iron Group, but the mucosa showed a slight injury in the Medium Iron Group with apical microvilli slightly off. Irregular shape of microvilli and necrosis were found in some epithelial cells of intestinal mucosa in the High Iron Group. Conclusion: Excessive dietary iron intake plays a negative effect on the normal growth and development, and resulted in intestinal inflammatory injury in rats.

Ameliorating Iron Overload in Intestinal Tissue of Adult Male Rats: Quercetin vs Deferoxamine

“…Some of intestinal villi were eroded and others were atrophied, the columnar epithelium showed hyperplasia, and also numerous goblet cells, Iron laden cells, and demarcated intraepithelial lymphocytes were observed in the lamina propria in duodenum sections and absent most of villi in the ileum. These results were in agreement with [28] who reported that high iron dose in rats caused irregular villous morphology and necrotic intestinal mucosal epithelium, suggesting that excessive iron caused intestinal inflammatory injury in rats. The pathological alterations of small intestine induced by iron were attributed to affection of intestinal hemostasis either by altering intestinal microbial formation, or by oxidative stress, or by inflammation [56, 57].…”

“…In the current study, there were increased IL6 and reduction of IL10 in small intestinal mucosal tissues of iron overloaded rats indicating increased intestinal mucosal inflammatory response; these findings are consistent with Yi-chen et al [28] who reported increased levels of IL-6 and reduction of IL10 in intestinal tissue of high-ferrous sulfate administrated rats; another study found increased duodenal mucosal cytokines expression on administration of high iron diet in porcine models [51]. The intestinal inflammatory response associated with iron overload may be attributed to oxidative stress induced by excess cellular iron that increased intestinal mucosal permeability leading to antigen and pathogen translocation though epithelial cells [52].…”