Efficacy of a Novel Food Supplement (Ferfer®) Containing Microencapsulated Iron in Liposomal Form in Female Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

Introduction Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a highly afflicting condition which affects young children of growing age and reproductive age women in countries of lower economies. Conventional oral iron salts have poor absorption and gastrointestinal side effects. Microencapsulated liposomal iron pyrophosphate is a novel compound with enhanced palatability, higher bioavailability, and consequently increased adherence among people with IDA. This study aims to assess the efficacy of microencapsulated iron pyrophosphate sachets in non-pregnant women with IDA. Methods It was a 12-week long, open label clinical trial conducted with 558 IDA women. Participants were advised one sachet of microencapsulated liposomal iron pyrophosphate (Ferfer®) twice daily. At baseline, and every four-week interval, serum hemoglobin levels and taste tolerability were assessed. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS v. 24 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Results Four hundred and thirty-seven women completed the trial. The mean serum Hb level at baseline was 8.71 ± 2.24 which increased to 10.47 ± 1.69 by the end of 12 weeks (p < 0.001). Conclusion Treatment of IDA with microencapsulated liposomal iron pyrophosphate sachets significantly increases serum hemoglobin levels in non-pregnant women of reproductive age.

Micronized, Microencapsulated Ferric Iron Supplementation in the Form of >Your< Iron Syrup Improves Hemoglobin and Ferritin Levels in Iron-Deficient Children: Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Study of Efficacy and Safety

“…To date, several applications of micronized and microencapsulated iron in the management of ID and IDA have been described, however, mostly as food fortification approaches in children as well as in adults [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Only recently, the results of studies on micronized, microencapsulated iron as stand-alone food supplements in the form of a powder [ 28 ], an oro-dispersible stick [ 29 ], or a tablet [ 30 ] in a population of generally healthy women with or without ID have been published. To our knowledge, the present study is the first one to report on the usefulness of micronized and microencapsulated iron as a stand-alone liquid food supplement in providing nutritional support in an ID pediatric population.…”

Iron Absorption: Factors, Limitations, and Improvement Methods

“…It was observed that the hemoglobin levels in those women significantly increased from 8.71 ± 2.24 to 10.47 ± 1.69. 145 In a more recent study, de Alvarenga Antunes et al designed a study on patients who had inactive or mildly active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and IDA. The patients took oral liposomal iron for 8 weeks.…”

The Multiple Facets of Iron Recycling

“…Therefore, it might be expected that, via the transient iron loading of erythrophagocytosing RPMs and KCs, such drugs may cause the depletion of these cells and hence trigger some degree of iron-recycling niche remodeling. Novel and promising formulations for oral iron delivery that are based on liposomal encapsulation [ 140 ] still need to be investigated in more detail for their biodistribution among different cell types.…”