Non-anemic iron depletion, oral iron supplementation and indices of copper status in college-aged females

Iron deficiency in dogs suffering from atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Iron-deficiency is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in non-communicable diseases. However, iron parameters are rarely assessed in dogs. Here, we aimed to assess and correlate iron parameters in dogs suffering from Canine Atopic Dermatitis (CAD) compared to non-atopic, healthy dogs.

RESULTS

For this retrospective study, blood values and sera of 34 dogs with confirmed CAD were compared with 94 healthy non-atopic dogs. In our cohort, dogs with CAD had significantly lower mean corpuscular volume (MCV, ) mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) but higher white blood cell counts due to increased levels of circulating neutrophils and monocytes. CAD patients also had elevated total protein and c-reactive protein (CRP), but lower albumin levels compared to our healthy control dogs, indicated low-grade inflammation in the CAD cohort. Spearman correlations associated negatively clinical symptom (CADESI-4/PVAS) with MCV; ceruloplasmin and hepcidin, but positively with serum iron. Only in the CAD-cohort, MCV, CRP and albumin-levels negatively affected serum iron-levels and were positively associated with ceruloplasmin. Linear regression analysis revealed that serum iron-levels in CAD subjects, were positively dependent on hematocrit (packed cell volume, PCV) and albumin, and negatively dependent with white blood cells and neutrophils numbers. In contrast, in the healthy cohort, hepcidin was the sole factor associated with serum iron.

CONCLUSIONS

A decreased iron status was associated with a higher symptom burden. Iron homeostasis differed markedly in healthy and atopic dermatitis dogs. CAD patients had depleted iron-stores and presented themselves with subclinical inflammation.

Alteration of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) tissue levels and speciation in rats with desferioxamine-induced iron deficiency

The objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of iron deficiency and iron replenishment on serum iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) speciation and tissue accumulation in a deferrioxamine-induced model of iron deficiency. A total of 26 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control; Fe-deficient; Fe-replenished (with iron (II) gluconate). Serum ferritin and transferrin levels were assessed using immunoturbudimetric method. Liver, spleen, and serum metal levels were assessed using ICP-MS. Speciation analysis was performed using a hyphenated HPLC-ICP-MS technique. Desferrioxamine injections resulted in a significant decrease in tissue iron content that was reversed by Fe supplementation. Iron speciation revealed a significant increase in serum transferrin-bound iron and reduced ferritin-bound Fe levels. Serum but not tissue Cu levels were characterized by a significant decrease in hypoferremic rats, whereas ceruloplasmin-bound fraction tended to increase. At the same time, Zn levels were found to be higher in liver, spleen, and serum of Fe-deficient rats with a predominant increase in low molecular weight fraction.Both iron-deficient and iron-replenished rats were characteirzed by increased transferrin-bound Mn levels and reduced low-molecular weight fraction. Hypothetically, these differences may be associated with impaired Fe metabolism under Fe-deficient conditions predisposing to impairment of essential metal handling. However, further studies aimed at assessment of the impact on Fe deficiency on metal metabolism are highly required.

Study on Impact of Iron and Folic Acid on the Plasma Trace Minerals in Pregnant Anemic Women

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the causes that lead to significant mortality and morbidity among pregnant women and fetus. The present study was undertaken to explore oral iron supplementation can modify the metal contents in pregnant anemic women. Iron and folic acid supplementations was given to 500 anemic women (mild = 200, moderate = 200, and severe = 100) and 100 age matched non-anemic controls daily for 100 days. Blood index values and plasma trace minerals were estimated as per standard protocols. Haemoglobin and ferritin levels were found significantly increased (p < 0.001) in anemic and control subjects after treatment. Moreover, the serum transferring receptor levels and total iron binding capacity were found significantly decreased in all treated groups. Iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels were found increased (p < 0.01) after oral iron supplementation groups. Moreover, selenium (Se) manganese (Mn) and were found to be decreased in all treated groups. Data provides the conclusion that iron and folic acid supplementation recovered the essential trace minerals, except manganese, which may lead to various complications including peroxidation of vital body molecules resulting in increased risk for pregnant women as well as fetus.

Trace Element Status (Iron, Zinc, Copper, Chromium, Cobalt, and Nickel) in Iron-Deficiency Anaemia of Children under 3 Years

Aim. To determine trace element status and aetiologic factors for development of trace elements deficiencies in children with iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) aged 0 to 3 years. Contingent and Methods. 30 patients of the University Hospital, Pleven, Bulgaria-I group; 48 patients of the Sumy Regional Child's Clinical Hospital, Sumy, Ukraine-II group; 25 healthy controls were investigated. Serum concentrations of iron, zinc, copper, chromium, cobalt, and nickel were determined spectrophotometrically and by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results. Because the obtained serum levels of zinc, copper, and chromium were near the lower reference limits, I group was divided into IA and IB. In IA group, serum concentrations were lower than the reference values for 47%, 57%, and 73% of patients, respectively. In IB group, these were within the reference values. In II group, results for zinc, cobalt, and nickel were significantly lower (P < 0.05), and results for copper were significantly higher in comparison to controls. Conclusion. Low serum concentrations of zinc, copper, cobalt, and nickel were mainly due to inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption, and micronutrient interactions in both studied groups. Increased serum copper in II group was probably due to metabolic changes resulting from adaptations in IDA. Data can be used for developing a diagnostic algorithm for IDA.

The effect of iron-vitamin C co-supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative stress in iron-deficient female youth

There is no study that assessed the effect of co-supplementation of iron and vitamin C on biomarkers of oxidative stress in non-anemic iron-deficient females. We investigated the effects of iron vs. iron + vitamin C co-supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative stress in iron-deficient girls. In a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, performed among 60 non-anemic iron-deficient girls, participants were randomly assigned to receive either 50 mg/day elemental iron supplements or 50 mg/day elemental iron + 500 mg/day ascorbic acid for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline, weeks 6 and 12 for assessment of biomarkers of oxidative stress. Compared with the baseline levels, both iron and iron + vitamin C supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (P time < 0.001) and remarkable elevation in serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC; P time < 0.001) and vitamin C levels (P time = 0.001); however, comparing the two groups we failed to find an additional effect of iron + vitamin C supplementation to that of iron alone on serum TAC and MDA levels (P group was not statistically significant). Iron + vitamin C supplementation influenced serum vitamin C levels much more than that by iron alone (P group < 0.01). We also found a significant interaction term between time and group about serum vitamin C levels while this interaction was not significant about serum TAC and MDA levels. In conclusion, we found that iron supplementation with/without vitamin C improve biomarkers of oxidative stress among non-anemic iron-deficient females and may strengthen the antioxidant defense system by decreasing reactive oxygen species. Co-supplementation of iron + vitamin C has no further effect on oxidative stress compared with iron alone.

Oral iron treatment has a positive effect on iron metabolism in elite soccer players

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of oral iron supplementation on hematological and iron metabolism in elite soccer players. Thirty-five members of the Real Zaragoza SAD soccer team took part in this study: group A (GA, n = 24; Spanish Premier League) took an oral iron supplement of 80 mg day(-1) for 3 weeks, and group B (GB, n = 11; Spanish Third Division League) did not receive any supplementation. In GA, the parameters were measured before and after giving the iron supplements, while in GB, measurements were only made at the time of collecting the second set of data from GA. After supplementation, GA showed an increase in serum iron (SI) (P < 0.05), serum ferritin (Ftn) (P < 0.01), and transferrin saturation (Sat) (P < 0.01) with respect to the basal values. In addition, GA showed higher values of hematocrit (P < 0.01), mean corpuscular volume (P < 0.01), Ftn (P < 0.01), and Sat (P < 0.01) than GB. No significant differences were found in any other parameters. More specifically, a higher percentage of players had Ftn levels above upper limits in GA vs. GB (P < 0.05), and GB had a higher incidence of Ftn below lower limits with respect to subjects in GA (P < 0.01). Further, after treatment, 58.3% of GA had >800 mg of SI, while all players in GB presented levels below the lower limits. In conclusion, iron supplementation with 80 mg·day(-1) for 3 weeks, before the start of the soccer season, can be recommended for elite soccer players.

Iron dialyzability from hospital duplicate meals: daily intake

Both total and dialyzable iron levels and corresponding dialyzability were determined in 108 duplicate meals during 36 consecutive days. Total mean iron fraction of 5.90 +/- 4.97 mg was found in the meals. The iron supplied by the meals is directly and significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with macromicronutrient content (carbohydrates, fiber, and protein). The mean iron dialyzability (4.81 +/- 3.25%) was low and not significantly different among the three primary meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Significant interactions of several minerals on iron levels were found (p < 0.05). Iron dialyzability was only statistically influenced by zinc dialyzability in meals (p < 0.05). The dialyzed iron fraction present in meals was significantly correlated with protein and ascorbic acid levels (p < 0.01). The mean iron daily dietary intake was 17.7 +/- 6.91 mg. The hospital meals provided enough iron. Foods of animal origin are primary sources of iron in diet.

Iron status influences trace element levels in human blood and serum

Food is the main source of trace elements for the general population. The gastrointestinal absorption of certain trace elements, e.g., cadmium, is strongly influenced by iron (Fe) status. This factor may also be relevant for the bioavailability of other trace elements. Therefore, we investigated relationships between Fe status indicators and trace element concentrations in blood and serum of 234 boys and girls at ages 15 and 17 years. Fe status was measured using serum ferritin (S-Ft), soluble transferrin receptor in serum (sTfR), and the ratio sTfR/S-Ft. The trace elements we investigated were, in blood, cadmium, cobalt, copper, zinc, selenium, rubidium, mercury, and lead, and, in serum, cobalt, copper, zinc, selenium, rubidium, tungsten, mercury, and lead. We found inverse correlations between Fe status and blood cadmium, blood or serum cobalt, or blood copper. There were positive correlations between Fe status and mercury concentrations. Selenium was positively correlated with sTfR. The relationships between Fe status and lead were equivocal. There were fewer correlations for serum than for blood, but the inverse relationships between Fe status and cobalt were equally strong in serum and blood. We found only occasional, and perhaps spurious, correlations with zinc, rubidium, and tungsten. In conclusion, previous indications that cadmium, cobalt, and copper are absorbed by transport mechanisms similar to that of Fe are supported by this study. Strong positive correlations between Fe status and mercury concentrations remain to be explained.

Non-anemic iron deficiency, oral iron supplementation, and oxidative damage in college-aged females

Oxidative damage, as indicated by protein carbonyl and lipid hydroperoxide concentrations, was assessed in the plasma of college-aged females with adequate iron status and with non-anemic iron deficiency before and after eight weeks of iron supplementation. At baseline, the mean serum ferritin, iron, transferrin saturation, and total iron binding capacity of the iron deficient group (n = 13) was significantly different from the iron adequate controls (n = 24). Mean plasma lipid hydroperoxide and protein carbonyl concentrations did not differ between groups at baseline. Following eight weeks of iron supplementation, the mean serum ferritin, iron, and transferrin saturation significantly increased and the total iron binding capacity significantly decreased in the iron deficient group. No significant differences in plasma lipid hydroperoxide or protein carbonyl concentrations were found between groups at the end of the study period. When plasma lipid hydroperoxide and protein carbonyl concentrations of subjects within groups were compared at the start versus at the end of the study, no significant differences were found for either group. Neither non-anemic iron deficiency nor its treatment with oral iron supplements is associated with oxidative damage in the plasma of college-aged females.