The Distribution of Parenteral Iron Haematinics in Nonpregnant, Pregnant and Lactating Rats

Abstract

The distribution of (59)Fe has been investigated in nonpregnant, pregnant and lactating rats and their young after injection of solutions containing a high molecular weight iron-dextrin complex (iron-dextrin, intravenously), and a low molecular weight complex of iron, sorbitol and citric acid (iron-sorbitol, intramuscularly), each labelled with (59)Fe. At different times after injection of a dose corresponding to 1.5 mg of iron per kg of body weight, the quantity of (59)Fe was determined in different organs, urine and carcass, and for pregnant rats also in foetuses and placentas. In some investigations, distribution in the foetuses was also studied. Iron-dextrin was localized mostly in the livers of both pregnant and nonpregnant rats; (59)Fe was then redistributed from this organ and incorporated into the erythrocytes. In pregnant rats, redistribution was accompanied by a placental transfer, the degree of incorporation into the erythrocytes of the mother being diminished. About 30% of the iron-sorbitol was excreted in the urine, while the remainder was distributed throughout the whole organism. Incorporation into the erythrocytes and placental transfer began earlier with iron-sorbitol than with iron-dextrin. At 14 days from injection into nonpregnant rats, however, the degree of incorporation into the erythrocytes of iron from the two complexes was identical. The rate at which incorporation of (59)Fe occurred into the erythrocytes was the same for the two preparations. The degree of incorporation into the erythrocytes after injection of iron-sorbitol into pregnant rats diminished in the same pattern as for iron-dextrin. Investigations into the mechanism of the placental transfer of iron-sorbitol from mother to foetus suggested that this is essentially an active process.

Studies on the Placental Transfer in Rats of 59Fe‐ and 14C‐labelled Iron‐poly (sorbitol‐gluconic acid) complex

“…He postulated that the complex was broken down in the RE-system giving a raised concentration of proteinbound plasma iron that passes through the placentae, probably resulting in an increased placental transfer of iron dependent on the foetal need. Hogberg & Lindvall (1964) drew the same conclusion for iron-dextrin in a comparative study between this complex and iron-sorbitol. In the case of iron-sorbitol an immediate transfer of iron to foetus was observed, but it was concluded that the transfer of the iron was an active process and not a simple diffusion of the complex.…”

“…The view that iron-dextran, iron-dextrin and iron-sorbitol do not pass the placental barrier has been based on studies of the iron moiety of the complexes (Sprent 1967, Nylander 1954, Hogberg & Lindvall 1964. In this study however, both the iron unit and the stabilizing carbohydrate unit in the iron-poly (sorbitol-gluconic acid) complex have been studied with regard to their transfer from the mother to the foetus.…”

“…It was also shown that the iron moiety of the complex is incorporated into the foetal blood corpuscles very soon after giving the mother the iron-poly ( sorbitol-gluconic acid) complex. This means that the complex as in the case of iron-dextran, iron-dextrin and ironsorbitol (Sprent 1967, Nylander 1954, Hogberg & Lindvall 1964) is transformed to physiological iron, which then can be transferred to the foetus for haematopoesis.…”

Effects and Alternatives to Haematinics on Anemic Patients-A Questionnaire Study

“…(Wolf et al, 2020) Liquid preparations of iron causes staining of teeth. (Högberg and Lindvall, 1964) Figure 2: Forms of Drug Intake which explains about the various forms of haematinic intake. Among 100 respondents, 66% of patients where under taking tablets-(Folic acid,Iron,Vit B complex), where 20% were taking haematinics in form of syrups(iron), 2% of the patients were taking parenteral forms of iron and Vit B12 through injections.…”

Elimination Pattern and Tissue Distribution of Intravenous Iron‐poly (sorbitol‐gluconic acid) Complex in the Rat

“…Blood samples (1 ml) were also counted without pretreatment. Calculation of total radioactivity in blood was based on a blood volume of 4.75 ml per 100gbodyweight (Hogberg & Lindvall 1964). Correction for blood present in tissues was calculated according to Muelheims et a/.…”