Further Studies on the Effect of Ambilhar on Iron Metabolism

Abstract

Niridazole is a relatively new nitrothiazole used for the treatment of Bilharziasis. SALAH and ABDEL AZIZ (1970) found that the drug increases urinary iron output and accordingly decreases serum and liver iron ( 6 ) . This was observed both in experimental animals and in human patients. Accordingly a study of the effect of niridazole when combined with iron salts on iron metabolism seemed desirable. Material and MethodsFifty-four normal rats of an average weight of 200 mg. were divided into 3 equal groups. Group 1 received Ambilhar alone. Group 2 received Ambilhar mixed with ferrous sulphate. The third group were used as controls. The drug was mixed with wheat flour in the ratio of 1 mg. of the drug for each gram of flour. This mixture was used as a diet for group 1 animals. Group 2 received wheat flour containing 1 mg. of drug and also 2 mg. ferrous sulphate for each gram of flour. Control animals received wheat flour alone. Every 3 days a total of 6 rats from each group were killed and samples of blood were collected, centrifuged and used for serum iron determination. The liver was removed and weighed. A known weight (0.5 g.) of liver was digested with a mixture of conc. HCL and conc. HNO, (3 : 1) for 30 minutes over a flame and liver iron was determined by the thiocyanate method of BRENDSTRUP (1948), DAHL (1948) and VENTURA and KLOPPER (1951) (I, 3, 7). Serum iron was determined by the dipyridyl method of RAMSAY (1954RAMSAY ( ,1958. Table 1 shows that serum iron was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in group 1, whereas in group 2 no significant decrease was observed. Table 2 shows that Groups 1 and 2 had a significant decrease in total liver iron and in liver iron concentration. In group 2 liver iron concentration and total liver iron were higher than in group 1 due to the effect of iron administration in group 2 . Results