Effect of Different Types of Oral Iron Therapy Used for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Their Effects on Some Hormones and Minerals in Anemic Rats

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia related to malnutrition world wide. It represents a major problem in developing countries, especially in Egypt. The aim of this study was carried out to elucidate the effect of different types of oral iron therapy (used for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia) on some hormones and minerals in anemic rats. Forty weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into 4 groups (10 rats each), G1; control group as negative control G2; anemic rats as positive control., G3; anemic rats receiving iron chelating amino acids (IDA+ICAA, 40 mg Fe/kg), G4; anemic rats receiving ferrous sulphate (IDA+FeSO4, 40 mg Fe/kg). Anemia was induced through feeding iron deficient diet (3-5 mg Fe/kg). At the end of the experiment, plasma, kidney and liver were used for determination of blood indices, tT3, tT4, Cu, Ca, Fe and MDA. Induction of iron in the diet improves body weight but still significantly lower than control group. Rats fed iron deficient diet had a significant lower Hb level, Hct value, RBCs count than normal controls. tT3 and tT4 levels of anemic rats were significantly lower than normal control (-15.16 & -30.59 % respectively). Treatment with ICAA gives better result than inorganic FeSO4. tT3/tT4 ratio was significantly higher in all treated groups than normal control group. A significant inverse correlation was found between tT3/tT4 ratio and liver Fe in anemic rats. Treatment of IDA rats with ICAA improves lipid peroxidation. Cu level of IDA group was significantly higher than normal control group, treatment with ICAA or FeSO4 returning Cu level to near normal. The plasma Ca level of ICAA treated groups was significantly higher than IDA groups. Plasma level of Fe or Fe/Cu ratio of IDA is significantly lower than normal control group, it reach less than half (58.3% decrease, P < 0.0001). A significant direct correlation was found between Ca level and kidney Fe in iron deficient anemia rats treated with iron chelating amino acids therapy. In Conclusion, the high bioavailability, easily tolerated doses of ferrous iron amino acid chelate allow lower doses to be used in IDA treatment than inorganic iron salts. [Journal of American Science 2010;6(6):109-118]. (ISSN: 15451003).