Comparisons of the iron deficient metabolic response in rats fed either an AIN-76 or AIN-93 based diet

Low-Iron Diet-Induced Fatty Liver Development Is Microbiota Dependent and Exacerbated by Loss of the Mitochondrial Iron Importer Mitoferrin2

Iron deficiency is the number one nutritional problem worldwide. Iron uptake is regulated at the intestine and is highly influenced by the gut microbiome. Blood from the intestines drains directly into the liver, informing iron status and gut microbiota status. Changes in either iron or the microbiome are tightly correlated with the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). To investigate the underlying mechanisms of the development of MASLD that connect altered iron metabolism and gut microbiota, we compared specific pathogen free (SPF) or germ-free (GF) mice, fed a normal or low-iron diet. SPF mice on a low-iron diet showed reduced serum triglycerides and MASLD. In contrast, GF low-iron diet-fed mice showed increased serum triglycerides and did not develop hepatic steatosis. SPF mice showed significant changes in liver lipid metabolism and increased insulin resistance that was dependent upon the presence of the gut microbiota. We report that total body loss of mitochondrial iron importer Mitoferrin2 (Mfrn2-/-) exacerbated the development of MASLD on a low-iron diet with significant lipid metabolism alterations. Our study demonstrates a clear contribution of the gut microbiome, dietary iron, and Mfrn2 in the development of MASLD and metabolic syndrome.

Iron-Enriched Nutritional Supplements for the 2030 Pharmacy Shelves

Iron deficiency (ID) affects people of all ages in many countries. Due to intestinal blood loss and reduced iron absorption, ID is a threat to IBD patients, women, and children the most. Current therapies can efficiently recover normal serum transferrin saturation and hemoglobin concentration but may cause several side effects, including intestinal inflammation. ID patients may benefit from innovative nutritional supplements that may satisfy iron needs without side effects. There is a growing interest in new iron-rich superfoods, like algae and mushrooms, which combine antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties with iron richness.

Interplay among miR-29 family, mineral metabolism, and gene regulation in Bos indicus muscle

An interplay between gene expression, mineral concentration, and beef quality traits in Bos indicus muscle has been reported previously under a network approach. However, growing evidence suggested that miRNAs not only modulate gene expression but are also involved with mineral homeostasis. To our knowledge, understanding of the miRNA-gene expression-mineral concentration relationship in mammals is still minimal. Therefore, we carried out a miRNA co-expression and multi-level miRNA-mRNA integration analyses to predict the putative drivers (miRNAs and genes) associated with muscle mineral concentration in Nelore steers. In this study, we identified calcium and iron to be the pivotal minerals associated with miRNAs and gene targets. Furthermore, we identified the miR-29 family (miR-29a, -29b, -29c, -29d-3p, and -29e) as the putative key regulators modulating mineral homeostasis. The miR-29 family targets genes involved with AMPK, insulin, mTOR, and thyroid hormone signaling pathways. Finally, we reported an interplay between miRNAs and minerals acting cooperatively to modulate co-expressed genes and signaling pathways both involved with mineral and energy homeostasis in Nelore muscle. Although we provided some evidence to understand this complex relationship, future work should determine the functional implications of minerals for miRNA levels and their feedback regulation system.\\An interplay between gene expression, mineral concentration, and beef quality traits in Bos indicus muscle has been reported previously under a network approach. However, growing evidence suggested that miRNAs not only modulate gene expression but are also involved with mineral homeostasis. To our knowledge, understanding of the miRNA-gene expression-mineral concentration relationship in mammals is still minimal. Therefore, we carried out a miRNA co-expression and multi-level miRNA-mRNA integration analyses to predict the putative drivers (miRNAs and genes) associated with muscle mineral concentration in Nelore steers. In this study, we identified calcium and iron to be the pivotal minerals associated with miRNAs and gene targets. Furthermore, we identified the miR-29 family (miR-29a, -29b, -29c, -29d-3p, and -29e) as the putative key regulators modulating mineral homeostasis. The miR-29 family targets genes involved with AMPK, insulin, mTOR, and thyroid hormone signaling pathways. Finally, we reported an interplay between miRNAs and minerals acting cooperatively to modulate co-expressed genes and signaling pathways both involved with mineral and energy homeostasis in Nelore muscle. Although we provided some evidence to understand this complex relationship, future work should determine the functional implications of minerals for miRNA levels and their feedback regulation system.

Biochemical, Hematological and Histopathological Indices of Wistar Rats Fed Vitamin and Mineral Deficient Diets Supplemented with Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal

Background:

Moringa oleifera is currently and rapidly gaining superfood status.

Objective:

This study evaluated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOLM) on haematological, biochemical and histopathology indices of rats fed with Vitamins and Minerals Deficient (VMD) diets.

Methods:

Twenty-five male Wistar rats (220-290g) were randomly assigned into 5 groups of 5 rats each. The control (normal rat chow), remaining four diets were VMD plus MOLM at 0, 3, 5 and 10%. Haematological, biochemical and histopathological statuses were evaluated after 28 days.

Results:

Non-significant increase in RBC was observed in rats fed with the MOLM diets compared to control. Rats on VMD diet had the lowest haemoglobin levels, whereas haemoglobin increased with MOLM. No significant differences were observed in haematocrit, MCH, MCHC, platelets, RDW and MPV in all the treatments and control group. However, VMD rats showed a decrease in haemoglobin, and an increase in WBC and platelets. Electrolytes and glucose for all the treatments and control were not significantly different, but, control and VMD10 diets rats showed significantly higher values for creatinine compared to MOLM diets; total protein and albumin increased with MOLM and were higher than in VMD and control rats. Serum activities of hepatic, cardiac and adrenal marker enzymes were observed to be significantly lower in MOLM rats compared to VMD and control. Mild congestion in VMD and VMD3 rats’ liver and diffused congestion in the kidney of VMD diet rats were observed.

Conclusion:

The significantly high increase in platelet count in the VMD treated rats, indicative of anemia and other physiological imbalances, highlights the effect of micronutrient (mineral and vitamins) deficiencies in the diet. There is also the possibility that the anti-nutrients factors present in Moringa oleifera prevented uptake and bioavailability of nutrients, since the MOLM did not undergo any processing that could have removed or reduced these antinutrients. Further studies are still needed on Moringa oleifera leaves to validate the bioavailability of nutrients from the plant.

Marginal iron deficiency enhances liver triglyceride accumulation in rats fed a high-sucrose diet

We investigated whether marginal iron-deficiency (MID) without anemia influences liver lipid accumulation in rats. Ingestion of a MID diet in which the iron concentration was half of AIN-93 formulation (iron-adequate, IA) for 3 weeks decreased liver iron concentration without anemia. We then evaluated the influence of the MID diet on liver lipid accumulation in combination with a high-sucrose (HS) diet and confirmed that the HS-MID diet successfully decreased liver iron concentration without anemia. Additionally, a significant increase in liver triglyceride concentration was found, accompanied by upregulation of hepatic fatty acid synthase expression in the rats fed the HS-MID diet compared to those in the rats fed an HS-IA diet, although no difference was observed in plasma transaminase activity and hepatic interleukin-1β expression. These results suggest that MID enhances de novo lipid synthesis via upregulation of lipogenic gene expression in combination with sucrose in the diet. Abbreviations: ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; HS, high sucrose; IA, iron adequate; ID, iron deficiency; MID, marginal irondeficiency; NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Iron deficiency anemia and glucose metabolism

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a global public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries with major consequences for human health as well as social and economic development. It occurs at all stages of the life cycle, but is more prevalent in pregnant women and young children. IDA appears to be more common in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic population. Iron deficiency (ID) and IDA can impair glucose homeostasis in animals and human and may negatively affect glycemic control and predispose to more complications in diabetic patients. On the other hand diabetes and its complications are associated with anemia and its correction improves diabetes control and may prevent or delay the occurrence of complications. Physicians treating this form of anemia should be aware of its negative effect on glycemic control in normal and diabetic patients (both type 1 and type 2). They should prevent ID and treat early all those with IDA.This brief review aims to enlighten the different effects of IDA on glucose metabolism in normal and diabetic patients.

Iron Content Affects Lipogenic Gene Expression in the Muscle of Nelore Beef Cattle

Iron (Fe) is an essential mineral for metabolism and plays a central role in a range of biochemical processes. Therefore, this study aimed to identify differentially expressed (DE) genes and metabolic pathways in Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle from cattle with divergent iron content, as well as to investigate the likely role of these DE genes in biological processes underlying beef quality parameters. Samples for RNA extraction for sequencing and iron, copper, manganese, and zinc determination were collected from LD muscles at slaughter. Eight Nelore steers, with extreme genomic estimated breeding values for iron content (Fe-GEBV), were selected from a reference population of 373 animals. From the 49 annotated DE genes (FDR<0.05) found between the two groups, 18 were up-regulated and 31 down-regulated for the animals in the low Fe-GEBV group. The functional enrichment analyses identified several biological processes, such as lipid transport and metabolism, and cell growth. Lipid metabolism was the main pathway observed in the analysis of metabolic and canonical signaling pathways for the genes identified as DE, including the genes FASN, FABP4, and THRSP, which are functional candidates for beef quality, suggesting reduced lipogenic activities with lower iron content. Our results indicate metabolic pathways that are partially influenced by iron, contributing to a better understanding of its participation in skeletal muscle physiology.